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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Decision Making Delphi Method |  Product Strategy Counter Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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 knowledge is distributed and direct dominance should be avoided, groups quickly fall under the sway of their opinion leaders. The Delphi Method gathers assessments iteratively and gradually brings expert judgments closer together. | When a headline metric could mask side effects, it adds guardrail signals against unwanted outcomes. It connects customer value, product logic, and decision priorities. The result is captured as a counter-metric list and guardrail definitions. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min | 1-4 Wochen | 30-60 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-5 | 6-30 Experten | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Counter Metric List, Guardrail Definitions |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | MetricsMeasurementStrategyExperiments |