Limitations of Root Cause Analysis

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The RCA model assumes: 1. Linearity 2. The existence of cause and effect relationship 3. That a system can be broken down into components and each fragment analyzed (reductionism). In the past, this has been the prevailing thinking since the 1930s. But in today's reality, many problems have become non-linear with many unknown and unknowable connections amongst human and technical components. For such , other tools are to be preferred. (...) Read more? Sign up for free

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		Limitations of Root Cause Analysis A. Achour, Analyst, Germany, Member
	One point to add on RCA models if I may. RCA as known generally focuses on problems then moves on to cause and effect to get to the root cause. I find this approach unpractical while 4. problems take different forms from various perspectives. A problem for one party isn't necessarily seen as a problem from another party and this could lead to conflict but if the influential party wins the debate (which is always so), the solution is going to be based on the problem as seen from the stronger party. We see many solutions today resolve the problem core, but give birth to new problems. Another approach which I find a lot more practical is to focus on the effected company goals and from here ellaborate on the cause and effect relationship. In this way, no matter how parties disagree on how they understand the problem, their perspectives on affected goals are all the same.

		Limitation of Root Cause Analysis in Management Samir Desai
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		Requirements of Root Cause Analysis A. Achour, Analyst, Germany, Member
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		Linearity is Still a Reasonable Assumption Most of the Time Bill Wilson, Analyst, Canada, Member
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		Apply Complexity Science Gary Wong, Consultant, Canada, Premium Member
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		Linear is Still Reasonable Marilyn Huser, Analyst, United States, Member
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