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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Fishbone Diagram | ![]() Business Strategy Strategy Execution Loop | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving | ![]() 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. | The Strategy Execution Loop helps avoid treating strategy as a one-off document. It makes visible how strategic decisions are turned into objectives, initiatives, operational work, measurement, and learning. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | Initial 3-6 h, then monthly or quarterly reviews | 45-90 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 5-12 | 2-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Execution Loop, Review Cadence, Strategic Learning Log | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeQualityOperations | ExecutionCadenceLearningGovernance | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |



