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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Decision Making Delphi Method |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | For an acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-4 Wochen | 1-3 h | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 6-30 Experten | 2-8 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Expert Forecast, Consensus Range, Assumption Notes | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | ForecastingExpertsDecisionStrategy | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |