Root Cause Analysis

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What is Root Cause Analysis? Description

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a structured step by step technique that focuses on finding the real cause of a problem and dealing with that. Rather than merely dealing with its symptoms. Root Cause Analysis is a procedure for ascertaining and analyzing the causes of problems, to determine how these problems can be solved or be prevented from occurring. It is a process to help stakeholders to understand causes of a problem well enough to achieve permanent resolution of that problem.

Usage of Root Cause Analysis. Benefits

Most problematic situations which arise within organizations have multiple approaches to deal with them. These different approaches generally require different levels of resource expenditure to execute them. Because of the perceived immediacy which exists in most of these situations, there is a tendency to opt for the solution which is the most expedient in terms of quickly dealing with the situation.

In doing this, the tendency is generally to treat the symptoms rather than the underlying fundamental problem that is actually responsible for the situation occurring (root cause). Yet, through choosing this expeditious approach to deal with the symptoms, the problematic situation may likely occur again, and must be dealt with over and over again. The costs of these quick solutions can be high over time.

The goal of a Root Cause Analysis is to find out:

• What happened.
• Why it happened.
• What can be done to prevent the problem from happening again.

A root cause is one of the most basic, or fundamental causes of the situation (condition) with which we are concerned. Since the situation (condition) is usually affected by many things (physical conditions, human behavior, behavior of systems, or processes), several root causes will usually be found. Compare: Cause and Effect Diagram

Steps in Root Cause Analysis. Process

The most common element of RCA method variants includes asking why today's situation (condition) occurred. While the answers are recorded. And then asking why for each answer, again and again. RCA attempts to identify contributing factors and all causes. This allows you to proceed further, by asking why, until the desired goal of finding the "root" causes is reached.

Finding root causes will lead us to the next step: to evaluate the best method to change the root cause, so we can improve our current condition. That is another process, commonly known as: corrective and preventive action. While we are searching for root cause, we must remember to review each found cause and factor for correction as well, since this can also provide for great improvements.

While the terminology RCA is generic, in the sense that there exist many different variants of the methodology, it does indicate that some kind of structural methodology will be used on the problem.

Limitations of Root Cause Analysis. Disadvantages

• This method presupposes a single source of the problem. In reality, the situation may be more complex.

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Expert Tips Advanced insights about Root Cause Analysis. Here you will find professional advices by experts. 8-Step Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Implementing Root Cause Analysis, RCA Process In an article, Roger Shaw mentions the following 8-stage Root Cause Analysis Process: 1. Preserve the site and evidence... The 5 Whys Method. Definition and How to Apply Alternative to RCA Definition The 5 Whys Method was pioneered by Sakichi Toyoda and lately developed by the architect of Toyota Production... Approaches to Conducting RCA Activities Root Cause Analysis Methods One might be tempted to conclude that a completed RCA is the compilation of stakeholder views of "why" a situation occur... 4-Step Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Root Cause Analysis Process One can identify four steps in Root Cause Analyses. These steps are listed below: 1. Data Collection: the analysis of a... 5 Root Cause Analysis Schools Understanding Root Cause Analysis 5 schools of RCA could be distinguished depending on their origin: 1. SAFETY-BASED RCA descends from the fields of acci... 3 Root Causes of Disagreement in Team Decision-making Processes Group Decision-making, Team Decision-making, Reasons for Disagreement, 3 Fs, Group Collaboration According to Freeman and Haskins (2014), there are three main categories of potential root causes for disagreements with... 3 Potential Categories of (Root) Causes Root Cause Analysis, Ishikawa, 8D, TOC Latino and Latino consider in a 1999-paper called 'Root Cause Analysis – Improving Performance for Bottom Line Results' ... Team-oriented Root Cause Analysis Team-oriented RCA The 8-D problem solving process, is a team-oriented method of problem solving. It applies process and statistical tools ...

Information Sources Various sources of information regarding Root Cause Analysis. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops. Personal Problem Solving: Process, Principles and Efficiency Problem Solving Process, Problem Solving Stages, Problem Solving Steps, Interpersonal Problem Solving A brief but excellent presentation about some key aspects of effective (personal) problem solving. The presentation incl... Comparison 3 RCA tools Effectiveness CED / ID / CRT Article by By Dr. Anthony Mark Doggett compares Cause-and-Effect Diagram (CED), the Interrelationship Diagram (ID), and ... Example of Root Cause Analysis: The Jefferson Memorial Root Cause Analysis, RCA, 5 Whys, Ishikawa Diagram, Cause and Effect Analysis The stone of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC was deteriorating quickly. Using Root Cause Analysis (more in parti... How to Use the 5 Whys in Root Cause Analysis Root Cause Analysis, RCA, 5 Whys Technique, Why-Why Analysis, Ishikawa Diagram This video explains how you can use the 5 Whys Technique as part of Root Cause Analysis, as is done at Toyota. Whenever ... Determining the Root Cause of a Problem Root Cause Analysis, Problem Solving, Analysing Presentation about the Root Cause Analysis by 1. Why determine Root Cause? 2. What is a Root Cause? 3. What is RCA? ... Using the Whys Method Six Sigma, Toyoda, Toyota, Lean Production, Root Cause Analysis To solve a problem effectively, you need to drill down through the symptoms to the underlying cause. Sakichi Toyoda, one... First Introduction to 8D Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis Initial Understanding of Causes of Problems, Workshops, Trainings In this video Adrian Gundy explains 3 important terms or principles you need to understand about the 8 Disciplines or 8D...

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