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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Fishbone Diagram | ![]() Innovation Contradiction Analysis | ![]() Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis | ![]() Innovation TRIZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly. | 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 technical contradictions or trade-offs, the method looks for solutions that resolve opposing requirements at the same time. It translates limits into an explicit picture of conflict that becomes workable. This produces not just compromises but more elegant principles. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 60-120 min | 2-6 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Contradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions | Contradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeQualityOperations | ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause | InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity |



