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Criterion
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Paper illustration for Kepner-Tregoe
Operations
Kepner-Tregoe
Paper illustration of an assumption matrix with prioritized test cards
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Paper illustration for 8D Problem Solving.
Operations
8D 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.For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations.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 an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly.
Complexitydifferent
LowHighLowHigh
Timedifferent
30-120 min2-8 h45-90 min1-6 Wochen
Participantsdifferent
2-62-82-84-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Observation Notes, Improvement IdeasProblem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk PlanAssumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
LeanObservationProcessOperations
Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations
AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery
QualityProblem solvingRoot cause
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