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| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  Operations ALPEN Method |  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. | When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers. | 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. | 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 | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 30-60 min | 10-20 min daily | 20-45 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 2-8 | 1 | 3-12 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary |
Tags1 shared | ProcessOperationsImprovement | Root causeQualityOperations | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LearningOperationsImprovement |