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| Criterion |  Operations Waste Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |  Operations A3 Problem Solving |  Operations Barrier Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a process that keeps people busy but creates little value, the method exposes waste. It directs attention to unnecessary movement, waiting times, rework, and overdelivery. | 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. | 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 risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 45-120 min | 15-30 min | 45-90 min | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | 2-6 | 2-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Waste Map, Prioritized Waste, Improvement Backlog | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | A3 Report, Action Plan, Root Cause Analysis | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | WasteLeanProcess improvement | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | LeanProblem solvingCoachingOperations | Root causeSafetyIncident |