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 |  Product Discovery Smoke Test |  Operations Kaizen Event |  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 demand only needs to be roughly verified, it tests interest with minimal effort. It measures whether people would take a next step at all. | For a tightly scoped process segment with noticeable waste, the method bundles shared energy for change. It suits situations that call for fast learning loops and visible adjustments. | 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 | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-5 Tage | 0.5-5 Tage | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | Nutzertraffic | 4-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Interest Metrics, Conversion Signal, Learning Note | Kaizen Charter, Waste List, Improvement Experiments, Standard Work Update | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | ProcessOperationsImprovement | ValidationExperimentsDemandGrowth | LeanContinuous improvementOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |