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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Innovation Lotus Blossom |
|---|---|---|---|
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 central question feels too large, the method breaks it into neighboring topic fields with their own depth of ideation. It holds structure and openness at the same time, so adjacent perspectives don't get lost. This grows an idea space out of a core problem. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-5 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Lotus Diagram, Idea Themes, Shortlist |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityDivergenceWorkshop |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
