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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Decision Making Assumption Surfacing |  Operations Kaizen Event |  Product Discovery Riskiest Assumption Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Plans often contain assumptions that were never openly stated and remain dangerous precisely because of that. Assumption Surfacing makes these silent premises visible and prioritizes which of them carry the initiative or could sink it. | For a tightly scoped process segment with noticeable waste, the method bundles shared energy for change. It suits situations that call for fast learning loops and visible adjustments. | When an idea hinges on one critical unknown, it prioritizes testing that exact piece of uncertainty first. It separates problem, assumption, solution, and evidence. The result is captured as a prioritized list of assumptions, a test plan, and a result report. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 45-90 min | 0.5-5 Tage | 1-2 Wochen pro Iteration |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-8 | 4-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Assumption List, Critical Assumptions, Learning Plan | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Prioritized Assumption List, Test Plan, Results Report |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | AssumptionsRiskDecisionDiscovery | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | ExperimentsValidationDiscoveryAssumptions |