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| Criterion |  Innovation Reverse Brainstorming |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For persistent errors or blockages, the method shifts the view to the opposite of the desired effect. It exposes the mechanics of failure and makes hidden causes easier to grasp. This makes improvement more concrete and the problem clearer. | 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. | 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 complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-60 min | 30-60 min | 15-30 min | 45-90 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-8 | 2-6 | 2-5 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Reverse Ideas, Risk Themes, Solution Ideas | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis |
Tagsno overlap | BrainstormingIdeationCreativityRisk | Root causeQualityOperations | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations |