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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  UX Research Empathy Mapping |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 a lot is assumed about a target group but little is seen jointly, empathy mapping makes knowledge and gaps directly comparable. The picture also shows which assumptions hold up and where evidence is missing. | For a single, hard-to-explain deviation, the method exposes the causal chain behind the visible symptom. It keeps the cause open until a controllable condition emerges instead of a mere description. | For a disturbance that's hard to pin down, the method cleanly separates problem, cause, and decision. It reduces mixing when symptoms allow several interpretations. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 30–60 min | 15-30 min | 2-8 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 4-8 | 2-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Empathy Map, Assumptions List, Research Gaps | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | SynthesisQualitativeWorkshop | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations |