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Criterion
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for Contradiction Analysis.
Innovation
Contradiction Analysis
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
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.When a system should improve while another measure suffers as a result, the method makes the underlying conflict precisely formulable. It separates the desired effect from its side effect. This makes solutions possible that address the contradiction deliberately instead of half-heartedly.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.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLowHigh
Timedifferent
30-120 min60-120 min30-60 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
2-62-82-83-10
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Observation Notes, Improvement IdeasContradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept IdeasFishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation BacklogFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
LeanObservationProcessOperations
ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving
Root causeQualityOperations
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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