The Triad deviates from work conducted traditionally under CERCLA or as part of a RCRA corrective action in two important ways. The first is a reliance on real-time measurement technologies to build a more detailed conceptual site model and provide cost-effective and timely information to the characterization and remediation process. The second is the use of dynamic work strategies that leverage real-time data to keep work activities as focused and efficient as possible. In practice this means that the number of samples collected, their location, the types of analyses used, the level of QA/QC performed, the course of remediation, etc. are open to modification under the Triad as work proceeds in response to conditions that are encountered and real-time data that are generated.

In contrast, traditional CERCLA and RCRA corrective action activities have been very prescriptive in nature and are largely defined by the time work is undertaken in the field. The consequence has been little or no flexibility to address conditions that are different than what was assumed during activity planning. The third leg of the Triad, systematic planning, has always been a cornerstone of good project management under CERCLA and RCRA since the mid 1990's, but receives special attention under the Triad approach because of its importance for managing decision uncertainty.