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| Criterion |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Operations Fishbone Diagram |  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 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. | When a problem has several possible contributing factors, the method sorts causes by cause areas. It prevents an initial hunch from blocking the view of other plausible drivers. | 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 | High | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 1-4 h | 2-6 h | 30-60 min | 1-3 h |
Participantsdifferent | 1-5 | 3-10 | 2-8 | 2-8 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | Fishbone Diagram, Cause Categories, Investigation Backlog | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | Root causeQualityOperations | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality |