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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Systems Thinking CATWOE Analysis |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Systems Thinking Rich Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | CATWOE structures a problem from six viewpoints and prevents too narrow a view of the situation. Different experiences of the system become comparably discussable this way. | 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. | A Rich Picture brings an unclear situation onto a shared drawing. It captures actors, tensions, information flows, and blind spots before the team jumps to solutions too early. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 30-120 min | 30-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 3-8 | 2-6 | 2-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | CATWOE Canvas, Root Definition, Stakeholder Perspectives, Constraints | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Rich Picture, Problem Framing Notes |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | Systems thinkingFramingStakeholders | LeanObservationProcessOperations | Systems thinkingSoft systemsFramingVisualization |