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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Agile Specification by Example |  Agile Example Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | When business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests. | When a story carries business rules and exceptions, it brings clarity before implementation. It makes examples, open questions, and boundaries visible enough that the logic becomes jointly sound. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 1-3 h | 60-90 min pro Feature | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-8 | 3-6 | 3-7 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Example Table, Acceptance Tests | Example Map, Acceptance Criteria, Open Questions |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development | Behavior-Driven DevelopmentRequirementsExamplesRefinement |