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 Systems Mapping |  Operations 5 Whys |  Systems Thinking Current Reality Tree |  Operations 8D Problem Solving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | Systems Mapping arranges elements, relationships, and boundaries so a complex field becomes legible at a glance. The overview stabilizes the overall picture before detail work or steering begins. | 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. | A Current Reality Tree condenses many symptoms into a few causal chains. The method makes visible which core problems drive several negative effects at once. | 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 | Medium | Low | High | High |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 15-30 min | 2-6 h | 1-6 Wochen |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-6 | 3-8 | 4-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Current Reality Tree, Core Problems, Intervention Ideas | 8D Report, Containment Plan, Root Cause Evidence, Corrective Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | Systems thinkingRoot causeConstraintsCausality | QualityProblem solvingRoot cause |