This document discusses root cause analysis (RCA), which is a structured process used to determine the underlying cause of defects, risks, or variances. RCA involves defining the problem, analyzing causes and effects through a cause-and-effect chart, identifying solutions, and tracking metrics to ensure solutions prevent recurrence. While often used reactively after an incident, RCA can also be applied proactively to hypothetical risks. Performing RCAs allows organizations to learn lessons from each other's problems and implement preventative solutions.