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| Criterion |  Decision Making Delphi Method |  Operations 5 Whys |  UX Research Affinity Diagramming |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | 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. | When research notes, feedback, or observations sit unconnected side by side, affinity diagramming sorts the raw material into solid themes. Many individual points turn into patterns that make decisions and opportunities clearer. | 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 | High | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 Wochen | 15-30 min | 45–90 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 6-30 Experten | 2-6 | 3-10 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Theme clusters, Insight statements, Opportunity areas | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | SynthesisQualitativeRoot cause | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |