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Criterion
Paper illustration for Constraint Analysis.
Decision Making
Constraint Analysis
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Purposedifferent
When an initiative stalls, the limit often lies not in the idea but in hard or soft boundary conditions. Constraint Analysis separates these limits and shows which of them can actually be shaped.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.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
LowLowHigh
Timedifferent
30-90 min15-30 min2-8 h
Participantsdifferent
2-82-62-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Constraint List, Hard/Soft Classification, Option Impact Notes, Decision BoundariesRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan
Tagsno overlap
ConstraintsDecisionPlanningOptions
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
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A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
Paper illustration for ALPEN Method
Operations
ALPEN Method