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| Criterion |  Operations Scatter Diagram |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When the question is whether two measures are related, the method makes patterns in the data picture visible. It separates felt correlations from relationships that actually show up in the data. | 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 an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 15-30 min | 2-6 h | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-4 | 2-6 | 3-10 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Scatter Plot, Korrelationsnotiz, Hypothesenliste | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures |
Tags1 shared | Root causeQualityVisualization | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality |