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Criterion
Paper illustration of Family Tree Analysis with its method-specific working model.
Operations
Family Tree Analysis
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
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
Purposedifferent
For a series of incidents with a similar pattern, the method arranges individual events as branches of a common origin. It makes visible which conditions keep recurring.arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes.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.
Complexitydifferent
MediumLowLowLow
Timedifferent
2-4 h1-2 Tage15-45 min15-30 min
Participantsdifferent
2-61-41-32-6
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Family Tree Diagram, Pattern Notes, Systemic MeasuresArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewADR File, Decision Log, RationaleRoot cause notes, Countermeasures
Tagsno overlap
Root causePatternsIncidentSystemic
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance
Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving
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