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| Criterion |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Standard Work Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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. | 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 | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 10-20 min daily | 30-120 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1 | 2-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Standard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training Needs |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeQualityOperations | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations | LeanProcessQuality |