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Criterion
Paper illustration for ABC Analysis
Operations
ABC Analysis
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
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 Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Purposedifferent
With many similar objects of differing economic significance, the method prioritizes effort by effect. It separates what needs regular steering from what rarely needs attention.An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable.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.When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another.
Complexitydifferent
LowLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
30-60 min15-45 min15-30 min1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
1-51-32-63-8
Formatdifferent
AsyncAsyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
ABC Classification, Focus Rules, Control ListADR File, Decision Log, RationaleRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
PrioritizationOperationsPortfolio
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident
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