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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Iceberg Model |  Operations Bottleneck Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The Iceberg Model separates visible events from patterns, structures, and mental models. This turns a single observation into a deeper understanding of why a problem keeps recurring. | For a flow that backs up at one point, the method looks for the capacity limit with the greatest leverage. It explains why extra effort elsewhere barely improves throughput. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 1-3 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-10 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Iceberg Worksheet, Pattern Notes, Intervention Ideas | Bottleneck Map, Flow Metrics, Improvement Options, Follow-up Measures | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingRoot causePatterns | FlowMeasurementConstraints | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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