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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation Contradiction Analysis | ![]() Operations Fishbone Diagram | ![]() Innovation TRIZ | ![]() Operations Kepner-Tregoe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly. | When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers. | For technical contradictions or trade-offs, the method looks for solutions that resolve opposing requirements at the same time. It translates limits into an explicit picture of conflict that becomes workable. This produces not just compromises but more elegant principles. | 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 | Low | High | High |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 30-60 min | 1-4 h | 2-8 h |
Participantssame | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Contradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Contradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving | Root causeQualityOperations | InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations |



