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| Criterion |  Operations Causal Factor Analysis |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Architecture C4 Model |  Operations Barrier Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | An ADR permanently records an architecture decision with context, trade-offs, and consequence. It creates continuity for later changes because the decision path stays traceable. | 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 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 | High | Low | Low | Medium |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 15-45 min | 1-4 h | 2-4 h |
Participantsdifferent | 3-10 | 1-3 | 1-5 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop + async | Workshop + async |
Outputdifferent | Event Timeline, Causal Factor Chart, Cause List, Corrective Actions | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Context Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog |
Tagsno overlap | CausalityIncidentRoot causeTimeline | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization | Root causeSafetyIncident |