In the building business, a similar 'pathway' process is utilized. The concept is called the critical path, and sounds similar to the approach in medicine. It is applied in each project, drives scheduling and assessment, and must be monitored constantly by process (project) managers.
If applied (very) loosely to 447, one starts to appreciate the British expression: "losing the plot". I hope the comparison to construction does not offend, in Medicine, as in Aviation, lives are on the line moment to moment, and generally, losing the critical path does not cost lives.....
But in investigation, the critical path is apt, and perhaps could be used to better results if it were applied....
It depends wholly on the mission.