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| Criterion |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Kaizen Event |  Delivery Value Stream Mapping |  Operations PDCA Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a tightly scoped process segment with noticeable waste, the method bundles shared energy for change. It suits situations that call for fast learning loops and visible adjustments. | When delivery work dissolves into wait times, handoffs, and hidden effort, Value Stream Mapping makes the actual flow visible. The method exposes bottlenecks, idle time, and feedback loops so lead time and improvement levers become tangible. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-120 min | 0.5-5 Tage | 1-3 h | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 4-10 | 4-10 | 1-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Current-state map, Future-state map, Bottleneck list | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change |
Tags1 shared | LeanObservationProcessOperations | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | LeanFlowWasteDelivery | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments |