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| Criterion |  Operations 5 Whys |  Systems Thinking Theory of Constraints Thinking Process |  Systems Thinking Causal Loop 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. | The Theory of Constraints Thinking Process exposes a system's bottleneck and the logic behind it. It suits situations where many symptoms trace back to the same limiting relationship. | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 0.5-3 Tage | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 4-10 | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Current Reality Logic, Conflict Cloud, Future Reality Tree, Implementation Obstacles | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Theory of ConstraintsConstraintsSystems thinkingCausality | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics |
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