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| Criterion |  Operations Runbook |  Operations After-Action Review |  Operations Process Mapping |  Operations Gemba Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For recurring operational tasks or incidents, the method keeps solid action logic ready. It reduces uncertainty when time pressure, role changes, or rare situations demand fast access. | After missions or project phases with unclear outcomes, the method makes visible what actually happened and what can be learned from it. It separates course, effect, and causes so experience turns into solid improvement. | 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 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 | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-60 min | 20-45 min | 1-3 h | 30-120 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 3-12 | 3-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Runbook, Checklist, Escalation Path | Lessons learned, Action items, Event summary | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas |
Tags1 shared | OperationsReliabilityDocumentation | LearningOperationsImprovement | ProcessOperationsImprovement | LeanObservationProcessOperations |