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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Operations Fault Tree Analysis |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 risk that can only be managed through multiple layers of protection, the method examines the effectiveness of each barrier. It shows where safeguards are missing, too weak, or fail under real conditions. | For a critical top event with several possible triggers, the method logically models failure paths. It makes visible which combinations of conditions can lead to damage. | For an event with a complicated course, the method breaks down the contributing factors along the timeline. It shows how conditions, decisions, and reactions together produce a course of events. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | High | High |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 2-4 h | 2-6 h | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-6 | 3-8 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Root causeSafetyIncident | RiskRoot causeSafety | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline |