View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
| Criterion |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations Root Cause Analysis |  Architecture arc42 |  Operations Root Cause Tree 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. | 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. | arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 15-45 min | 1-4 h | 1-2 Tage | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-3 | 3-8 | 1-4 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan | Architecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment View | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident | ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality |