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