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| Criterion |  Operations Kaizen Event |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  Operations Barrier Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a tightly scoped process segment with noticeable waste, the method bundles shared energy for change. It suits situations that call for fast learning loops and visible adjustments. | 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 disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. | For a risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-5 Tage | 15-30 min | 2-8 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 2-6 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | Root causeSafetyIncident |