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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
A paper-based illustration representing WSJF with its core stages and visible working result.
Agile
WSJF
Paper illustration for Pareto Analysis
Decision Making
Pareto Analysis
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
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 many tasks compete for the same capacity, it orders work by economic impact. It makes time lost, benefit, and effort comparable together.In many problem situations, effect is distributed unequally across many causes. A Pareto Analysis separates the few drivers with high leverage from the long remainder and focuses attention on what measurably moves the needle.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
LowHighLowMedium
Timedifferent
15-30 min45-90 min30-60 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
2-63-101-62-5
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Root cause notes, CountermeasuresRanked Backlog, Cost-of-Delay AssumptionsPareto Chart, Top Causes, Focus ListA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis
Tagsno overlap
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
LeanEconomicsSequencePrioritization
PrioritizationQualityFocusRoot cause
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
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