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| Criterion | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving | ![]() Operations ALPEN Method | ![]() Agile Start Stop Continue | ![]() Agile Starfish Retrospective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | When a team wants to deliberately adjust its working behavior, it makes habits visible and assessable. It focuses on concrete changes instead of diffuse mood. | When improvement options need to be sorted more finely than just start and stop, it brings observations into clear kinds of action. This makes visible what should be done more, less, newly, or continued. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 10-20 min daily | 30-60 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-5 | 1 | 3-12 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Start Stop Continue Board, Improvement Actions | Starfish Board, Practice Changes, Experiments |
Tagsno overlap | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | RetrospectiveImprovementTeamReflection | RetrospectiveImprovementExperimentsTeam |



