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| Criterion |  Business Strategy GAP Analysis |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Business Strategy TOWS Matrix |  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 a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | The TOWS Matrix connects internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats into action-oriented strategies. It goes a step further than a pure stocktaking. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 h | 1-2 h | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 | 3-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Gap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | TOWS Matrix, Strategic Options, Priority Actions | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | StrategyAnalysisPlanning | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | StrategyAnalysisOptions | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident |