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Criterion
Paper illustration of Working Backwards with its method-specific working model.
Product Discovery
Working Backwards
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram
Purposedifferent
When the target state and benefit need to be clear first, it thinks backward from the desired outcome into the product logic. It sharpens vision, objections, and value proposition before elaboration.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 process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability.When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowHighLow
Timedifferent
4-8 h, mehrere Iterationen15-30 min2-6 h30-60 min
Participantsdifferent
2-62-63-102-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Future Press Release, FAQ, Vision StatementRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation ActionsFishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog
Tagsno overlap
VisionNarrativeAlignment
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
Root causeQualityOperations
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