What You Need to Know About Root Cause Analysis

How many times do you think that you have solved a problem only to have it come back to haunt you again and again?  When the same problem occurs again and again after you think you have fixed it there is a good chance that you only addressed symptoms and did not get to the root cause of the problem.

It takes tenacity coupled with the effective use of problem solving tools to get to the root cause of a problem.  Root cause analysis involves searching backwards from an undesirable effect (or problem) to its cause(s) and addressing those causes.  "Root Cause" implies that there is a single cause for a problem when in fact, there may be multiple causes working together to trigger the undesirable event.  The objective of Root Cause Analysis is to identify potential causes, determine which cause(s) are root cause(s) and address those root causes to ensure the problem does not recur.

Unfortunately, the identification and analysis of root causes is rarely easy.  Getting to the root cause of problems requires digging deep into the process that the problem "lives in."  However, root cause analysis can be made easier by using a formal and standardized problem solving approach.

• Overview of Root Cause Analysis
• Four Step Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Process
• Finding the Root Cause
• Fixing the Root Cause (Correction Action)
• Finalizing the Solution
• The 10 Barriers to Root Cause Analysis

Many of these forms can be downloaded as Excel Spreadsheets or Word Docs.

• Team Start-Up Worksheet
• Team Meeting Minutes and Planner Worksheet
• Problem Statement Worksheet
• Five Whys Worksheet
• Comparative Analysis Worksheet
• Causal-Impact Number (CIN) Worksheet
• Root Cause Identification Worksheet

Books and Training on Root Cause Analysis

The Root Cause Reference Guide   A basic guide that covers the essential aspects of Root Cause Analysis with lots of helpful tables and worksheets.  Only $9.95 each or $7.95 each when purchased in 5 packs. 

Root Cause Analysis with Corrective Action Training   Comprehensive online training on how to get to the root cause of a problem and fix it for good.  Available online or in CD-ROM or Network versions.  Click here for more information.  Click here to try a sample lesson.

Links

SystemsThinking.org:  Looking at Root Cause Analysis in terms of Systems Thinking.

Quality Progress Article:  Root Cause Analysis for Beginners.

Root Cause Analysis in Healthcare:  Techniques for Root Cause Analysis in Healthcare.

ReliabilityWeb.com: Preventing Space Shuttle Disasters Means Getting to the Root Cause