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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Innovation Reverse Brainstorming |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | For persistent errors or blockages, the method shifts the view to the opposite of the desired effect. It exposes the mechanics of failure and makes hidden causes easier to grasp. This makes improvement more concrete and the problem clearer. | For a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 1-4 h | 30-60 min | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-8 | 3-12 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution Ideas | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause |