View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Operations Accountability Ladder |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With defensive reactions to problems, the method shifts the view from justification to ownership. It makes visible which reaction stage a person or team is currently stuck on. | 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. |
Complexitysame | Low | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 20-45 min | 15-45 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-8 | 1-3 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Ownership Reflection, Action Commitment, Coaching Notes | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ResponsibilityLeadershipTeam | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
Often compared together
Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
