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| Criterion |  Systems Thinking Systems Mapping |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|
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 process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability. | 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 | Medium | High | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2-6 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 3-10 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | System Map, Dependencies, Leverage Points | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Systems thinkingMappingBoundariesChange | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
