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Criterion
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Paper illustration for Dot Estimation.
Facilitation
Dot Estimation
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
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 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 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.
Complexitysame
LowLowLow
Timedifferent
30-60 min5-20 min15-30 min
Participantsdifferent
2-83-202-6
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation BacklogEffort Heatmap, Risk Signals, Discussion TargetsRoot cause notes, Countermeasures
Tagsno overlap
Root causeQualityOperations
EstimationEffortRisk
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
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Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D Problem Solving
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving