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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations After-Action Review |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 10-20 min daily | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-12 | 1 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tags1 shared | ProcessOperationsImprovement | LearningOperationsImprovement | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |