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| Criterion |  Operations Theory of Constraints |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations Bottleneck Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a system that does not get faster despite effort, the method directs attention to the bottleneck. It concentrates improvement on the point that actually limits throughput. | 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 flow that backs up at one point, the method looks for the capacity limit with the greatest leverage. It explains why extra effort elsewhere barely improves throughput. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h Analyse, laufend | 45-90 min | 1-3 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 2-5 | 3-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Constraint Map, Improvement Plan, Flow Metrics | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Bottleneck Map, Flow Metrics, Improvement Options, Follow-up Measures | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | OperationsConstraintsFlowImprovement | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | FlowMeasurementConstraints | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |