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| Criterion |  Product Strategy SMART Goals |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Product Strategy OKRs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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 strategic direction needs to become measurable, it connects ambition with checkable results. It makes goals connectable to focus and review. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 15-30 min | 1-3 h | 1-2 h Setup |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 2-6 | 2-8 | 2-20 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | SMART Goal, Measurement Note, Deadline | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | OKR set, Measurement plan, Review cadence |
Tagsno overlap | GoalsPlanningMeasurementAlignment | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | GoalsAlignmentOutcomesMeasurement |