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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Agile Example Mapping |  Operations 5 Whys |  Agile Specification by Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a story carries business rules and exceptions, it brings clarity before implementation. It makes examples, open questions, and boundaries visible enough that the logic becomes jointly sound. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | When business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 30-60 min | 15-30 min | 60-90 min pro Feature |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 3-7 | 2-6 | 3-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Example Map, Acceptance Criteria, Open Questions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Example Table, Acceptance Tests |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | Behavior-Driven DevelopmentRequirementsExamplesRefinement | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development |