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Criterion
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Stock and Flow Diagram method illustration showing its working structure
Systems Thinking
Stock and Flow Diagram
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.A Stock and Flow Diagram shows how stocks, inflows, and outflows shape a system over time. It is especially suited when growth, delays, or capacity limits determine the dynamics.
Complexitydifferent
LowHigh
Timedifferent
15-30 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
2-61-6
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresStock and Flow Model, Dynamics Notes, Simulation Hypotheses
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
DynamicsSimulationFeedbackSystems thinking
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Causal Loop Diagram workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Systems Thinking
Causal Loop Diagram
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving