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| Criterion | ![]() Facilitation Timeline | ![]() Operations PDCA Cycle | ![]() Systems Thinking Causal Loop Diagram | ![]() Operations Causal Factor Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | When a project, incident, or change process is only remembered in fragments, Timeline brings the sequence back into a readable form. It makes turning points, precursors, and after-effects recognizable over the course of time. | For an improvement that still has to prove itself in everyday work, the method runs it through small learning loops. It connects planning, checking, and standardization into a repeatable learning mode. | A Causal Loop Diagram makes feedback, reinforcement, and balance in a system legible. It uncovers side effects and self-reinforcement that stay hidden in linear explanations. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | High |
Timedifferent | 30-90 min | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 1-3 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-12 | 1-8 | 2-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Timeline, Milestones, Insight Notes | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Causal Loop Diagram, Feedback Notes, Leverage Points | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions |
Tagsno overlap | TimelineFacilitationSequence | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | FeedbackSystems thinkingCausalityDynamics | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline |



