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| Criterion |  Product Strategy SMART Goals |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When goals are formulated too generally, it brings measurability, direction, and timing into shape. It prevents intentions from staying without clear verification. | 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 acute quality or delivery problem, the method structures immediate protection and root cause work together. It keeps the situation stable while the actual cause is investigated cleanly. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 15-30 min | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-6 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | SMART Goal, Measurement Note, Deadline | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | GoalsPlanningMeasurementAlignment | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
