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| Criterion |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Agile Example Mapping |  Operations 5 Whys |  Agile Specification by Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | When a story carries business rules and exceptions, it brings clarity before implementation. It makes examples, open questions, and boundaries visible enough that the logic becomes jointly sound. | 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. | When business rules need to become precise, it ties language, example, and test together. It sorts work by value, risk, and delivery ability. The result is captured as an Example Table and Acceptance Tests. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 30-60 min | 15-30 min | 60-90 min pro Feature |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 3-7 | 2-6 | 3-6 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Example Map, Acceptance Criteria, Open Questions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Example Table, Acceptance Tests |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | Behavior-Driven DevelopmentRequirementsExamplesRefinement | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | AgileRequirementsExamplesBehavior-Driven Development |