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| Criterion |  Facilitation Dot Estimation |  Operations Family Tree Analysis |  Agile Bucket System |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When size or effort can only be estimated roughly, Dot Estimation condenses the group's experience into a quick range. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as an Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, and Discussion Targets. | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. | When a large batch of work needs a fast, rough estimate, it sorts items into predefined size buckets. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as a Bucketed Backlog, Relative Estimates, and Split Candidates. | 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 | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 5-20 min | 2-4 h | 30-90 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | 2-6 | 3-12 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion Targets | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures | Bucketed Backlog, Relative Estimates, Split Candidates | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationEffortRisk | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic | EstimationBacklogRelative sizing | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |