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| Criterion |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |  Innovation Lotus Blossom |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. | When a central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem. | 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 | High | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 1-6 Wochen | 45-90 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-10 | 3-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | Lotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |