View methods side by side.
Choose up to four methods. Add them using the search and share the comparison by copying its link.
Selected:Root Cause Tree AnalysisARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs)Barrier Analysis5 Whys
| Criterion | ![]() Operations Root Cause Tree Analysis | ![]() Architecture ARID (Active Reviews for Intermediate Designs) | ![]() Operations Barrier Analysis | ![]() Operations 5 Whys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposedifferent | 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. | ARID examines how well developers can work with a technical design. It focuses on a part of the system that can still be revised, between the architecture overview and the detailed specification. | 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. | 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 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
Timedifferent | 1-3 h | 2–4 h review as a planning range; preparation and evaluation additional | 2-4 h | 15-30 min |
Participantsdifferent | 2-8 | Designers, developers as users, and facilitation | 2-6 | 2-6 |
Formatdifferent | Workshop | Workshop + async | Workshop + async | Workshop |
Outputdifferent | Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, Countermeasures | Prioritized development tasks, Jointly produced code or pseudocode, Observed difficulties and open design questions, Proposed design revisions | Barrier Inventory, Failure Analysis per Barrier, Action Backlog | Root cause notes, Countermeasures |
Tagsno overlap | Root causeTreeIncidentQuality | ArchitectureEngineeringFeedbackValidationTasks | Root causeSafetyIncident | Root causeIncidentLeanProblem solving |



