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| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Knowledge Modeling Competency Questions |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | Competency Questions translate a domain model into concrete questions that it must be able to answer. The method keeps the model's scope clean and prevents pretty but useless structures. | For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 2-4 h | 1-3 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 2-8 | 2-8 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Competency Question Set, Required Concepts, Test Queries, Coverage Matrix | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | OntologyKnowledge graphScopeRequirementsSemantic | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |