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| Criterion |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Business Strategy Ansoff Matrix |  Business Strategy SWOT Analysis |  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. | The Ansoff Matrix organizes growth options by market and product relation. It helps weigh expansion, diversification, and adaptation cleanly against each other. | SWOT Analysis arranges strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats into a compact picture of the situation. It keeps internal capabilities and external influences separate before strategic options emerge from them. | 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 | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 45-90 min | 30-60 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-5 | 2-8 | 3-12 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Ansoff Matrix, Growth Options, Risk Notes | SWOT matrix, Strategic options, Action list | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | GrowthStrategyMarketPortfolio | StrategyAnalysisMarketPositioning | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |