View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations Kepner-Tregoe |  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. | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | 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. | 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 | Low | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 2-8 h | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-8 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Risk Plan | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | Problem solvingRoot causeDecisionOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |