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| Criterion |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |  Operations Gemba Walk |  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. | When a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. | When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 45-90 min | 2-4 h | 30-120 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-5 | 4-10 | 2-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | JourneyServiceService design | LeanObservationProcessOperations | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |