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| Criterion | ![]() Operations 8D Problem Solving | ![]() Decision Making Decision Tree | ![]() Operations 5 Whys | ![]() Operations Kepner-Tregoe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. | For decisions with follow-on paths and dependencies, a linear comparison is often not enough. A Decision Tree shows how options branch under conditions and which consequences hang on each branch. | 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 disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-6 Wochen | 30-90 min | 15-30 min | 2-8 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 1-6 | 2-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan |
Tagsno overlap | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | DecisionTreeOptions | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations |



