Root cause analysis
Ok. So what is root cause analysis(RCA)?
RCA is the process of discovering the root causes of problems in order to identify appropriate solutions.
Looking beyond superficial cause and effect, processes or systems failed or caused an issue in the first place
Ok. So what is root cause analysis(RCA)?
RCA is the process of discovering the root causes of problems in order to identify appropriate solutions.
Looking beyond superficial cause and effect, processes or systems failed or caused an issue in the first place
Goals and benefits
1st: To discover the root cause of a problem or event.
2nd: To fully understand how to fix, compensate, or learn from any underlying issues.
3rd: To apply what we learn from this analysis to systematically prevent future issues or to repeat successes.
1st: To discover the root cause of a problem or event.
2nd: To fully understand how to fix, compensate, or learn from any underlying issues.
3rd: To apply what we learn from this analysis to systematically prevent future issues or to repeat successes.
Analysis is only as good as what we do with that analysis, so 3rd goal of RCA is important.
Instead of a news editor just fixing every single omitted Oxford comma, she will prevent further issues by training her writers to use commas properly in all future assignments.
Instead of a news editor just fixing every single omitted Oxford comma, she will prevent further issues by training her writers to use commas properly in all future assignments.
Treating the individual symptoms may feel productive. Solving a large number of problems looks like something is getting done. But if we don’t actually diagnose the real root cause of a problem we’ll likely have the same exact problem over and over.
Core principles :
Focus on correcting and remedying root causes rather than just symptoms.
Don’t ignore the importance of treating symptoms for short term relief.
Realize there can be, and often are, multiple root causes.
Focus on correcting and remedying root causes rather than just symptoms.
Don’t ignore the importance of treating symptoms for short term relief.
Realize there can be, and often are, multiple root causes.
Focus on HOW and WHY something happened, not WHO was responsible.
Be methodical and find concrete cause-effect evidence to back up root cause claims.
Provide enough information to inform a corrective course of action.
Consider how a root cause can be prevented in the future.
Be methodical and find concrete cause-effect evidence to back up root cause claims.
Provide enough information to inform a corrective course of action.
Consider how a root cause can be prevented in the future.
How to conduct an effective root cause analysis: techniques and methods
5 ways :
One of the more common techniques in performing a root cause analysis is the 5 Whys approach. We may also think of this as the annoying toddler approach.
5 ways :
One of the more common techniques in performing a root cause analysis is the 5 Whys approach. We may also think of this as the annoying toddler approach.
Example: Let’s think back to our football concussion example. First, our player will present a problem: Why do I have such a bad headache?
This is our first WHY.
First answer: Because I can’t see straight.
Second why: Why can’t you see straight?
Second answer: Because I my head hit the ground.
Third why: Why did your head hit the ground?
Third answer: I got hit tackled to the ground and hit my head hard.
First answer: Because I can’t see straight.
Second why: Why can’t you see straight?
Second answer: Because I my head hit the ground.
Third why: Why did your head hit the ground?
Third answer: I got hit tackled to the ground and hit my head hard.
Fourth why: Why did hitting the ground hurt so much?
Fourth answer: Because I wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Fifth why: Why weren’t you wearing a helmet?
Fifth answer: Because we didn’t have enough helmets in our locker room.
Aha.
Fourth answer: Because I wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Fifth why: Why weren’t you wearing a helmet?
Fifth answer: Because we didn’t have enough helmets in our locker room.
Aha.
Work with a team and get fresh eyes.
Whether it’s just a partner or a whole team, any extra eyes will help us figure out solutions faster and also serve as a check against bias. Getting input from others will also offer additional points of view, helping challenge our assumption
Whether it’s just a partner or a whole team, any extra eyes will help us figure out solutions faster and also serve as a check against bias. Getting input from others will also offer additional points of view, helping challenge our assumption
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