Analysis of root cause commonly referred to as RCA is a method used to evaluate complex issues when attempting to fix them, isolating and defining the primary root cause of a problem. A root cause is determined as a factor that would prevent the adverse effect from happening by exclusion; other factors influencing the consequence should not be considered as root causes.
Root cause analysis (RCA) is vital for successful problem solving since it is more appreciable to deter the occurrence from happening than to respond to the adverse consequences resulting. For major companies, short-term fixes aren’t profitable; RCA helps effectively remove the cause of the defect.
Root cause analysis may be performed using various tools and techniques; root cause analysis is usually about digging deep into the mechanism to figure out what, where, and why an incident happened. Get to know more about the RCA process in this article on Root Cause Analysis steps and tools.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Tools
Root cause analysis (RCA) may be done using a wide range of methods; there is no ideal strategy that should be used anywhere. Instead, quality management will prefer the best solution for the organization and team members, usually using brainstorming methodology.
- Fishbone diagram or plan and influence diagram, also known as Ishikawa, is one of the classic RCA methods. It is used to classify different potential factors that contributed to the problem being investigated.
- Five Whys is another standard RCA method, also called the Gemba Gembustu. It is a strategy that investigates the unknown causes of the particular issue by constantly questioning whys; the number 5 is not set but is typically defined around it as the root cause.
- A flowchart is tracing procedure phases across multiple parts or divisions that may be useful in defining source locations for defects.
- Typically Pareto charts are conducted during brainstorming sessions to evaluate the probable cause of the adverse event provided.
- The Pareto principle accounts for twenty percent of triggers resulting in an eighty percent impact.
- A Scatter Diagram is another visualization method that makes localization of relationships simpler by representing numerical variables on graphs.
Root Cause Analysis Steps
Create an RCA Team
Every team must have a designated Root Cause Analysis Supervisor [RCA Supervisor] who will collect input from the technical team and begin the RCA kick-off phase. Based on the problem listed, he/she will arrange and delegate services that are needed to attend RCA meetings.
Teams taking part in the proceedings should include people most familiar with the issue from each team [Requirement, Design, Research, Monitoring, Protection, Support & Maintenance].
Discover Causes
Stage two, as you might infer by its name, focuses on determining possible triggers of the incident. Your aim should be to discover as many root factors as possible. This encourages you to delve into the questions that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
In this Stage, both perspectives through activities such as brainstorming, method analysis, and diagrams should be accepted and promoted.
Creativity and free-thinking would serve the team well and even to the extent of a directive deserve support. The goal is to cast a net large enough around the area of the problem so that all potential triggers can be found and looked into.
Fix the Problem
Collect the problem data, such as incident reports, problem proof (screenshot, records, studies, etc.), and analyze the issue by answering the questions below:
- What’s the point?
- What is the order of the events which led to the issue?
- What were approaches interested in that?
- How long did the problem persist?
- What effect does the problem have?
- Who was interested and who is to be interviewed
Find Answers
It is presently time to shift our attention to the task of seeking to formulate a potential plan or remedy. Brainstorming is a very successful way to find alternative solutions in a collaborative environment.
We urge you to include as many people as possible, while you move on this process. Anyone that has a potential solution or faces change from introducing a solution should be accepted.
- Basic tools
- Examining
- Brainstorming
- Benchmarking
- Flow Plan
- Why Not Method
Perform Root Cause Preventive Action (RCPA)
The team needs to come up with a plan for how to prevent having a common potential scenario. For instance, upgrading a training sheet, creating a skillset, reviewing the team assessment checklist, etc. Respect appropriate recommendations for preventive action and monitor whether the team adheres to the required preventive measures.
RCA’s information will go to Failure Mode and Effect Analysis ( FMEA) as feedback to identify points where the solution may fail.
Implement a Pareto Review of the triggers observed by RCA over a span of time, perhaps half-yearly or quarterly, which will help to identify the main factors contributing to the defects and emphasis on preventive measures.
Test Solution Effectiveness
In this stage, we assess and test the efficacy of our approach that has been introduced. This needs us to take a thorough and comprehensive look at the process to ensure it has been working.
If it has, then congratulations, the end of the project has come. And it’s time to dig at the next thing you need your attention on.
The Evolution of RCA
Quality management professionals use RCA to deliver excellent results to both customers and enterprises. It is not about faults but repeated brilliant performance by checking for causes and elements that have helped to produce the ideal outcomes, making sure it is not a matter of sheer chance but of making it a continuous practice throughout the process. Now you know about root cause analysis steps and tools.
To know more about how to effectively implement root cause analysis and implementing solutions, you could consider pursuing popular quality management courses from an Accredited Training Institute that will be of great help in this regard.
Some of the popular quality management training courses that individuals and enterprise teams can take up are:
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training
