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| Criterion |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Delivery Value Stream Mapping |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Engineering Kanban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 delivery work dissolves into wait times, handoffs, and hidden effort, Value Stream Mapping makes the actual flow visible. The method exposes bottlenecks, idle time, and feedback loops so lead time and improvement levers become tangible. | 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 work sits in too many parallel streams, throughput suffers and no one sees the bottlenecks. Kanban makes the flow of work visible and limits overload so a system becomes calmer and more predictable. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | Ongoing |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 4-10 | 2-5 | 2-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Current-state map, Future-state map, Bottleneck list | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Kanban board, WIP policies, Flow metrics |
Tagsno overlap | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanFlowWasteDelivery | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | FlowVisual managementDelivery |