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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations 5 Whys |  Decision Making Pareto Analysis |  Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes. | 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. | In many problem situations, effect is distributed unequally across many causes. A Pareto Analysis separates the few drivers with high leverage from the long remainder and focuses attention on what measurably moves the needle. | 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 | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 15-30 min | 30-60 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 2-6 | 1-6 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Root cause notes, Countermeasures | Pareto Chart, Top Causes, Focus List | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving | PrioritizationQualityFocusRoot cause | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality |