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| Criterion |  Innovation Design Thinking |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations After-Action Review |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For complex user problems with an uncertain cause, the method connects observation, interpretation, and experiment into a learning cycle. It keeps the focus on real needs and avoids premature solution language. This produces robust decisions for product and service. | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 Tag bis mehrere Wochen | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 3-10 | 3-12 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Statement, Prototype, Test Learnings | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | InnovationPrototypeResearch | ProcessOperationsImprovement | LearningOperationsImprovement | LeanObservationProcessOperations |