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| Criterion | ![]() Operations ALPEN Method | ![]() Operations Causal Factor Analysis | ![]() Operations Family Tree Analysis | ![]() Operations Barrier Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | With an overloaded day full of too many tasks, a realistic picture of the day emerges. The method connects estimating, deciding, and buffer thinking so planning fits available energy and time. | 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. | For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | Medium | Medium |
Timedifferent | 10-20 min daily | 2-6 h | 2-4 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1 | 3-10 | 2-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic Measures | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic | Root causeSafetyIncident |



