View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
Selected:Dot EstimationFailure Mode and Effects AnalysisCausal Factor AnalysisRoot Cause Tree Analysis
| Criterion |  Facilitation Dot Estimation |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 5-20 min | 2-6 h | 2-6 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | 3-10 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Effort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion Targets | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | EstimationEffortRisk | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality |