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| Criterion |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Decision Making Decision Tree |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 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 decisions with follow-on paths and dependencies, a linear comparison is often not enough. A Decision Tree shows how options branch under conditions and which consequences hang on each branch. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 10-20 min daily | 30-120 min | 30-90 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1 | 2-6 | 1-6 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Decision Tree, Option Map, Assumption List | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations | DecisionTreeOptions | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |