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| Criterion | ![]() Operations Process Mapping | ![]() Operations After-Action Review | ![]() DevOps Blameless Postmortem | ![]() 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. | After an incident with damage or a near miss, the method creates a sober field for learning without assigning blame. It directs attention to the course of events, conditions, and effective countermeasures. | 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 | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 20-45 min | 30-90 min | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-12 | 3-12 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Postmortem Doc, Action Items, Timeline | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | LearningOperationsImprovement | Site Reliability EngineeringIncidentLearningReliability | LeanObservationProcessOperations |



