View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Innovation How Might We |  Operations Fault Tree Analysis |  Operations Family Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a critical top event with several possible triggers, the method logically models failure paths. It makes visible which combinations of conditions can lead to damage. | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30–45 min | 2-6 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-10 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | HMW Questions, Challenge Framing, Idea Prompts | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures |
Tagsno overlap | FramingOpportunityIdeationQuestions | RiskRoot causeSafety | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
