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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Operations After-Action Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | For a risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-4 h | 2-6 h | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-6 | 3-10 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | Root causeSafetyIncident | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | LearningOperationsImprovement |