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| Criterion | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving | ![]() UX Research Contextual Inquiry | ![]() Operations After-Action Review | ![]() Operations Kepner-Tregoe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 1-3 Wochen | 20-45 min | 2-8 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-5 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-12 | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan |
Tagsno overlap | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | UX researchObservationContext | LearningOperationsImprovement | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations |



