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Criterion
Paper illustration for Root Cause Tree Analysis
Operations
Root Cause Tree Analysis
Paper illustration for Trade-off Analysis.
Decision Making
Trade-off Analysis
Paper illustration for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Operations
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
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.With limited resources, quality, speed, cost, and risk almost always compete with each other. Trade-off Analysis makes these tensions explicit and prevents decisions from producing hidden side effects.For a process, product, or service with noticeable failure risks, the method assesses possible failure modes in advance. It directs attention to combinations of occurrence, effect, and detectability.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumHigh
Timedifferent
1-3 h45-120 min2-6 h
Participantsdifferent
2-82-83-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop
Outputdifferent
Cause Tree, Evidence Notes, CountermeasuresTrade-off Matrix, Criteria List, Decision Rationale, Accepted DownsidesFMEA Table, Risk Priority, Mitigation Actions
Tagsno overlap
Root causeTreeIncidentQuality
TradeoffsDecisionCriteriaOptions
RiskQualityOperationsRoot cause
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Paper illustration: scenarios and architectural decisions are connected to identified risks.
Architecture
ATAM (Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of a decision table with criteria rows, weighted ratings, and a narrowly leading alternative.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Decision Tree method illustration showing its working structure
Decision Making
Decision Tree
Paper fishbone diagram with a measurable effect at the head and six labeled cause branches.
Operations
Fishbone Diagram