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Criterion
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Purposedifferent
When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions.Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowMedium
Timedifferent
30-120 min45-90 min45-90 min
Participantsdifferent
2-62-82-5
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Observation Notes, Improvement IdeasAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning PlanA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis
Tagsno overlap
LeanObservationProcessOperations
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Paper illustration of a calm four-quadrant Assumption Map with hypothesis cards and emphasis on important assumptions with little evidence.
Product Discovery
Assumption Mapping
Paper illustration of the Lightning Decision Jam working structure.
Facilitation
Decision Jam