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Selected:C4 ModelCausal Factor AnalysisATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)Root Cause Analysis
| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Architecture ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method) |  Operations Root Cause 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 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. | ATAM helps teams weigh architecture decisions when quality goals compete. The team considers business goals, stakeholder expectations, and technical decisions together. The evaluation shows which risks need further investigation. | 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. |
Complexitydifferent | Low | High | High | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 2-6 h | Several meetings plus preparation and analysis; total effort depends on scope | 1-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 3-10 | Evaluation team, architects, and relevant stakeholders | 3-8 |
Formatsame | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Prioritized quality scenarios in a utility tree, Architecture risks with reasoning and assumptions, Sensitivity and trade-off points, Findings report with open investigations | Problem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | ArchitectureQualityRiskTradeoffsStakeholders | Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident |