This document discusses root cause analysis and problem solving. Root cause analysis is used to analyze the underlying reasons for positive or negative events. Common root cause analysis methods include Five Whys, fishbone diagrams, and 8D. The goal is to identify corrective actions to prevent problems from recurring. Problem solving can involve reactive corrections, proactive corrective actions to address root causes, or preventive actions to prevent problems beforehand. Identifying the root cause is important because it is the most basic reason for a problem and correcting it can prevent recurrence and similar issues.

1. Root
Cause
Analysis
DIGGING DEEPER

2. Does it happen in your
organization?
❖ You have a problem which gets repeated day after day, and month after
month.
❖ Whatever actions you take, it does not go away.
❖ You have tried training employees, changing the work instructions, but it
does not seem to make a big difference.
❖ There could be two reasons:
▪ You are not taking a Corrective Action
▪ You take it, but it is not effective

3. Root Cause Analysis
❖ Root Cause Analysis is used to analyze the root cause of a positive or
negative event. The purpose is to take corrective actions to prevent
recurrence of a negative outcome, or to facilitate the recurrence of a
positive outcome.
▪ In reality, it is mainly used for negative events.
❖ It is typically used to analyze:
▪ A quality problem
▪ A failure (product or service)
▪ A safety incidence

4. Root Cause Analysis
❖ Most common approaches for the Root Cause Analysis are:
▪ Five Whys
▪ Fishbone Diagram
▪ A3 Problem Solving
▪ 8D (Eight Disciplines)
❖ Root Cause Analysis is a part of the bigger theme: “Problem Solving”

5. Problem Solving
❖ Two ways to solve a problem:
▪ Reactive – Act once the problem happens and focus on removing the symptoms.
▪ Proactive – Focus on removing the cause of the problem so that problem does not happen again.
❖ Or even better, take actions even before the problem happens in the first
place.

6. Problem Solving
❖ Two ways to solve a problem:
▪ Reactive – Act once the problem happens and focus on removing the symptoms. (Correction)
▪ Proactive – Focus on removing the cause of the problem so that problem does not happen again.
(Corrective Action)
❖ Or even better, take actions even before the problem happens in the first
place. (Preventive Action)

7. Correction
❖ Action to eliminate a detected nonconformity
▪ A correction can be made in advance of, in conjunction with or after a corrective action.
▪ A correction can be, for example, rework or regrade.

8. Corrective Action
❖ Action to eliminate the cause of a nonconformity and to prevent recurrence.
▪ There can be more than one cause for a nonconformity.
▪ Corrective action is taken to prevent recurrence whereas preventive action is taken to prevent occurrence.

9. Preventive Action
❖ Action to eliminate the cause of a potential nonconformity or other potential
undesirable situation
▪ There can be more than one cause for a potential nonconformity.
▪ Preventive action is taken to prevent occurrence whereas corrective action is taken to prevent recurrence.

10. Root Cause
❖ Cause and Effect relationship
❖ What is a root cause?
▪ A cause if corrected with prevent the recurrence of a problem.
▪ It will also prevent the occurrence of similar problems.
▪ It is the most basic reason of the problem that can be logically identified and corrected
▪ There could be multiple root causes of a problem
❖ A causal factor is one that affects an event's outcome but is not the root
cause.
▪ It might remove or reduce the problem but will not help in avoiding the problem from happening again.
▪ Causal factors are also called contributors or influencers.