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| Criterion |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Operations Standard Work Analysis |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 the same task is done differently depending on the person, the method exposes the reliable core. It creates comparability without unnecessarily choking off needed latitude. | 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. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 1-3 h | 30-60 min | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-6 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatsame | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Standard Work Sheet, Deviation List, Improved Standard, Training Needs | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | LeanProcessQuality | Root causeQualityOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations |