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| Criterion |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Facilitation Expectation Mapping |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Facilitation Alignment Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 roles, interfaces, or projects fail because of differing expectations, Expectation Mapping surfaces these differences. It shows what each side takes for granted and where the pictures diverge. | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | When several people work toward one goal but hold different mental maps, Alignment Mapping makes the discrepancies visible. It arranges goals, assumptions, and priorities so shared direction becomes verifiable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-120 min | 45-90 min | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-2 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-12 | 1-8 | 4-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Expectation Map, Alignment Notes, Agreements | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Alignment Map, Open Issues, Decision Questions |
Tagsno overlap | LeanObservationProcessOperations | AlignmentStakeholdersTeam | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | AlignmentStakeholdersStrategyFacilitation |