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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Agile Start Stop Continue |  Agile 4Ls Retrospective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 team wants to deliberately adjust its working behavior, it makes habits visible and assessable. It focuses on concrete changes instead of diffuse mood. | When a sprint should not only be assessed but also learned from, it captures experience in clear learning categories. It records what worked, what's missing, and what should run differently next time. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min | 30-60 min | 45–75 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-5 | 3-12 | Team members involved |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Start Stop Continue Board, Improvement Actions | 4Ls Board, Learning Themes, Improvement Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | RetrospectiveImprovementTeamReflection | RetrospectiveLearningReflectionTeam |