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| Criterion |  Operations Barrier Analysis |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Operations ALPEN Method |  Operations Failure Mode and Effects Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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 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. | 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 a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability. |
Complexitydifferent | Medium | High | Low | High |
Timedifferent | 2-4 h | 2-6 h | 10-20 min daily | 2-6 h |
Participantsdifferent | 2-6 | 3-10 | 1 | 3-10 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Daily Plan, Time Estimates, Review Notes | FMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeSafetyIncident | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | PlanningTime managementProductivityOperations | RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause |