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| Criterion | ![]() Systems Thinking Evaporating Cloud | ![]() Operations 5 Whys | ![]() Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The method makes visible why two seemingly incompatible demands arise and which assumption must be tested to resolve the conflict. | 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. | 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 | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 60-120 min | 15-30 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-6 | 2-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Conflict Cloud, Assumption List, Breakthrough Ideas, Next Experiments | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Theory of ConstraintsAssumptionsSystems thinking | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality |
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