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| Criterion |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |  Agile 4Ls Retrospective |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | 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. | When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 1-6 Wochen | 45–75 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-5 | 4-10 | Team members involved | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |