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| Criterion |  Product Strategy SMART Goals |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When goals are formulated too generally, it brings measurability, direction, and timing into shape. It prevents intentions from staying without clear verification. | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | For a complex deviation with several people involved, the method bundles problem, analysis, and decision onto one page. It creates a shared working space where causes, countermeasures, and follow-up fit together. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-30 min | 10-20 min daily | 45-90 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 1 | 2-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | SMART Goal, Measurement Note, Deadline | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | GoalsPlanningMeasurementAlignment | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |