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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations ALPEN Method |  UX Research Customer Journey Mapping |  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. | 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 a user journey falls apart across many touchpoints, customer journey mapping makes the experience visible as a coherent arc. Phases, emotions, and breaks become legible enough to prioritize critical moments deliberately. | 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 | 10-20 min daily | 2-4 h | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1 | 4-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Journey Map, Pain-point List, Opportunity Backlog | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | JourneyServiceService design | LeanObservationProcessOperations |