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Criterion
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
Paper illustration for Contradiction Analysis.
Innovation
Contradiction 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.With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots.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.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
30-120 min1-3 h60-120 min
Participantsdifferent
2-63-102-8
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Observation Notes, Improvement IdeasProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement BacklogContradiction Statement, Abstraction Notes, Solution Principles, Concept Ideas
Tagsno overlap
LeanObservationProcessOperations
ProcessOperationsImprovement
ContradictionsInnovationProblem solving
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration of a review with planned work, actual event sequence, comparison, and assigned improvement actions.
Operations
After-Action Review