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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Engineering Golden Path |  Operations Standard Work Analysis |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 teams need a reliable default path for frequent use, sprawl quickly emerges without any guiding logic. Golden Path bundles the preferred path so good practice becomes easy and deviation becomes deliberate. | When the same task is done differently depending on the person, the method exposes the reliable core. It creates comparability without unnecessarily choking off needed latitude. | When there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-3 Tage Setup, laufend | 1-3 h | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-8 | 2-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Golden Path Guide, Templates, Quality Checks | Standard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training Needs | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | EngineeringProductivityGovernance | LeanProcessQuality | LeanObservationProcessOperations |