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| Criterion |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  Knowledge Modeling Concept Mapping |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Decision Making Cynefin Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | Concept Mapping arranges terms and relationships in a network that makes subject-matter connections tangible. It fits when a topic needs to be understood structurally rather than linearly. | 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 problems are unclear, chaotic, or only seemingly familiar, standard recipes fall short. A Cynefin Workshop sorts situations by the nature of their problem and connects them with matching action logic. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 2-8 h | 1-2 h | 45-90 min | 60-180 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 1-8 | 2-5 | 4-20 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Concept Map, Relationship Labels, Knowledge Gaps | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Cynefin Map, Domain-specific Actions, Sensemaking Notes |
Tagsno overlap | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | KnowledgeConceptsMappingSensemaking | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | ComplexitySensemakingDecision |