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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Gemba Walk | ![]() Operations Kepner-Tregoe | ![]() Innovation SCAMPER | ![]() Innovation Lotus Blossom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For an existing solution under pressure to change, the method deliberately opens space for systematic variants. It directs attention to rebuilding, combining, and repurposing rather than only new basic ideas. This produces concrete evolution paths for products, offerings, or workflows. | When a central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-120 min | 2-8 h | 30-60 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 2-8 | 2-10 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | SCAMPER Idea List, Concept Shortlist, Variation Notes | Lotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | LeanObservationProcessOperations | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityReframingInnovation | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop |



