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Criterion
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Empathy Mapping
UX Research
Empathy Mapping
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Purposedifferent
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 a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing.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
HighLowLow
Timedifferent
2-6 h30–60 min15-30 min
Participantsdifferent
3-104-82-6
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation ActionsEmpathy Map, Assumptions List, Research GapsRoot cause notes, Countermeasures
Tagsno overlap
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

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
Affinity Diagramming
UX Research
Affinity Diagramming