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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Decision Making Decision Matrix |  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. | When several options collide with several criteria, comparison quickly becomes subjective. A Decision Matrix makes the trade-off visible and brings weighting, criteria, and options into a shared logic. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 45-90 min | 10-20 min daily | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 1 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Decision Matrix, Scoring Rationale, Selected Option | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | DecisionCriteriaScoringTradeoffs | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |