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| Criterion |  Operations Kaizen Event |  UX Research Contextual Inquiry |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations After-Action Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 0.5-5 Tage | 1-3 Wochen | 1-3 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 4-10 | 4-12 Beobachtungen | 3-10 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Field Notes, Workflow Insights, Pain Points | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary |
Tagsno overlap | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | UX researchObservationContext | ProcessOperationsImprovement | LearningOperationsImprovement |