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| Criterion |  Operations Theory of Constraints |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Process Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 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 there is uncertainty about the real course of a process, the method brings observation to the place where work happens. It combines perception, follow-up questions, and process knowledge so decisions rest on actual workflows instead of assumptions. | With a confusing workflow that has many handoffs, the method makes the actual process visible. It shows where work is passed on, delayed, or duplicated, so improvement targets the right spots. |
Complexitydifferent | High | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h Analyse, laufend | 10-20 min daily | 30-120 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-12 | 1 | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Constraint Map, Improvement Plan, Flow Metrics | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog |
Tags1 shared | OperationsConstraintsFlowImprovement | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | LeanObservationProcessOperations | ProcessOperationsImprovement |