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| Criterion |  Product Discovery Working Backwards |  Operations PDCA Cycle |  Operations Gemba Walk |  Operations Process Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 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. | 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 | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 4-8 h, mehrere Iterationen | 1 h bis mehrere Wochen | 30-120 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 1-8 | 2-6 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Future Press Release, FAQ, Vision Statement | PDCA Log, Experiment Plan, Learning Outcome, Standard Change | Observation Notes, Improvement Ideas | Process Map, Handoff List, Improvement Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | VisionNarrativeAlignment | Continuous improvementLeanExperiments | LeanObservationProcessOperations | ProcessOperationsImprovement |