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| Criterion | ![]() Facilitation Lean Coffee | ![]() Operations Barrier Analysis | ![]() Operations 5 Whys | ![]() Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a group without a fixed agenda needs to get into useful conversations quickly, Lean Coffee structures the start around interests rather than a presentation. The group itself negotiates which topics get time first and which wait. | 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. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 2-4 h | 15-30 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-20 | 2-6 | 2-6 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Prioritized Topics, Discussion Notes, Action Items | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | FacilitationAutonomyDialogue | Root causeSafetyIncident | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |



