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| Criterion |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Operations ALPEN Method |  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. | When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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 | Low | Medium | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 30-120 min | 1-4 h | 10-20 min daily | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-8 | 1 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | LeanObservationProcessOperations | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |