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Criterion
ChatOps workspace showing the question, observations, and next decision.
DevOps
ChatOps
Paper illustration of two considered options leading to a decision record with a marked status and visible consequences.
Architecture
Architecture Decision Record
A 5 Whys working surface connects an observable problem with evidenced causes, marked uncertainty and concrete countermeasures with ownership.
Operations
5 Whys
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Purposedifferent
For operational work in a distributed team, the method links communication with direct system control. It records decisions right where the signal, the context, and the execution come together.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.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.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
MediumLowLowMedium
Timedifferent
Ongoing15-45 min15-30 min1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
2-201-32-63-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncAsyncWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Chat Transcript, Action Log, AutomationsADR File, Decision Log, RationaleRoot cause notes, CountermeasuresProblem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
CollaborationEngineeringIncident
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident
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