View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Systems Thinking System Dynamics Simulation |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports. | 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. | When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another. | 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 | High | Low | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | Mehrere Tage bis Wochen | 10-20 min daily | 1-4 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron | 1 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Simulation Model, Scenario Reports | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |