View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Engineering Fault Isolation | ![]() Operations Gemba Walk | ![]() Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis | ![]() Operations Standard Work Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | In technical failures, the visible symptom often gets mixed up with the actual cause. Fault Isolation narrows the fault space and progressively reduces which part of the system is truly affected. | 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. | 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. | When the same task is done differently depending on the person, the method exposes the reliable core. It creates comparability without unnecessarily choking off needed latitude. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-180 min | 30-120 min | 2-6 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-6 | 2-6 | 3-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Fault Isolation Map, Test Log, Excluded Hypotheses, Narrowed Fault Area | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions | Standard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training Needs |
Tagsno overlap | TroubleshootingDiagnosisEngineering | LeanObservationProcessOperations | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause | LeanProcessQuality |



