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Criterion
Incident Command workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
DevOps
Incident Command
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Purposedifferent
During an acute incident with several people involved, the method creates a clear leadership and communication structure. It reduces chaos when fast coordination and clean situational awareness are both needed at once.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.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 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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowMediumMedium
Timedifferent
As needed15-30 min45-90 min1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
4-152-62-53-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Incident Log, Action Tracker, Stakeholder UpdatesRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresA3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause AnalysisProblem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
IncidentOperationsReliability
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations
Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident
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