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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |  UX Design Service Blueprinting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. | When a service experience is spread across several touchpoints, it brings frontstage and backstage together. It shows where user contact and internal responsibility must fit. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min | 2-4 h | 0.5-2 Tage |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-5 | 4-10 | 6-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog | Service Blueprint, Fail Points, Ownership Map |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | JourneyServiceService design | Service designOperationsJourneyBlueprint |