View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion | ![]() Operations PDCA Cycle | ![]() Operations 5 Whys | ![]() Innovation TRIZ |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | 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 technical contradictions or trade-offs, the method looks for solutions that resolve opposing requirements at the same time. It translates limits into an explicit picture of conflict that becomes workable. This produces not just compromises but more elegant principles. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 15-30 min | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Contradiction Statement, Inventive Principles, Solution Concepts |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | InnovationProblem solvingContradictionsCreativity |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.






