methodatlas
Compare

View methods side by side.

Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.

Criterion
Value Stream Mapping workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Delivery
Value Stream Mapping
Gemba Walk workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
Gemba Walk
Process Mapping method illustration showing its working structure
Operations
Process Mapping
Purposedifferent
When delivery work dissolves into wait times, handoffs, and hidden effort, Value Stream Mapping makes the actual flow visible. The method exposes bottlenecks, idle time, and feedback loops so lead time and improvement levers become tangible.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
MediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 h30-120 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
4-102-63-10
Formatsame
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Current-state map, Future-state map, Bottleneck listObservation Notes, Improvement IdeasProcess Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog
Tagsno overlap
LeanFlowWasteDelivery
LeanObservationProcessOperations
ProcessOperationsImprovement
Add more methods

Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Paper illustration for Theory of Constraints.
Operations
Theory of Constraints
A3 Problem-Solving workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
Operations
A3 Problem Solving
Paper illustration of a review with planned work, actual event sequence, comparison, and assigned improvement actions.
Operations
After-Action Review
Paper illustration for Kaizen Event.
Operations
Kaizen Event