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| Criterion | ![]() Innovation How Might We | ![]() Operations ABC Analysis | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving | ![]() Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With a stuck problem carrying many implicit assumptions, the method translates observations into open, workable questions. It sharpens the problem frame without pre-thinking the solution, turning frustration or fuzziness into a search space with clear direction. | With many similar objects of differing economic significance, the method prioritizes effort by effect. It separates what needs regular steering from what rarely needs attention. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30–45 min | 30-60 min | 45-90 min | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 1-5 | 2-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | ABC Classification, Focus Rules, Control List | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | PrioritizationOperationsPortfolio | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |



