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| Criterion |  Operations Kaizen Event |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Process Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | When work processes are known only from accounts and the real context stays hidden, Contextual Inquiry makes behavior at the workplace visible. Observation and follow-up questions together show how people actually work, get interrupted, and improvise. | 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. | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 0.5-5 Tage | 1-3 Wochen | 30-120 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | UX researchObservationContext | LeanObservationProcessOperations | ProcessOperationsImprovement |