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| Criterion | ![]() Operations 5 Whys | ![]() Operations Scatter Diagram | ![]() Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 the question is whether two measures are related, the method makes patterns in the data picture visible. It separates felt correlations from relationships that actually show up in the data. | 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. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 30-90 min | 1-3 h | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 1-4 | 2-8 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Scatter Plot, Korrelationsnotiz, Hypothesenliste | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeQualityVisualization | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |



