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| Criterion |  Operations Fault Tree Analysis |  Architecture Architecture Decision Record |  Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | For a critical top event with several possible triggers, the method logically models failure paths. It makes visible which combinations of conditions can lead to damage. | 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 | High | Low | Low |
Timedifferent | 2-6 h | 15-45 min | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 3-8 | 1-3 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop + async | Async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Fault Tree, Critical Paths, Cause Hypotheses, Control Actions | ADR File, Decision Log, Rationale | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | RiskRoot causeSafety | ArchitectureRationaleDocumentationGovernance | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |
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Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.
