View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Business Strategy GAP Analysis | ![]() Operations 8D Problem Solving | ![]() Operations Causal Factor Analysis | ![]() Operations Root Cause Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-6 Wochen | 2-6 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 4-10 | 3-10 | 3-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident |



