Gourt > Reference > Knowledge Management > Knowledge Creation > Problem Solving > Root Cause Analysis (5)
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a class of problem solving methods aimed at identifying the root causes of problems or events. The practice of RCA is predicated on the belief that problems are best solved by attempting to correct or eliminate root causes, as opposed to merely addressing the immediately obvious symptoms. By directing corrective measures at root causes, it is hoped that the likelihood of problem recurrence will be minimized. However, it is recognized that complete prevention of recurrence by a single intervention is not always possible. Thus, RCA is often considered to be an iterative process, and is frequently viewed as a tool of continuous improvement.
Root cause analysis is not a single, sharply-defined methodology; there are many different tools, processes, and philosophies of RCA in existence. However, most of these can be classed into four, very-broadly defined "schools" that are named here by their basic fields of origin: safety-based, production-based, process-based, and systems-based.
- Safety-based RCA descends from the fields of accident investigation and occupational safety and health. Root causes tend to be viewed as failed or missing safety barriers, unrecognized risks or hazards, or inadequate safety engineering.
- Production-based RCA has its origins in the field of quality control for industrial manufacturing. This school of RCA tends to view a root cause as the original cause of a non-conformance, which is consistent with the notion of a production line consisting of many sequential steps, one or more of which may be malfunctioning or out of tolerance.
- Process-based RCA is basically a follow-on to production-based RCA, but with a scope that has been expanded to include business processes outside of manufacturing. The basic view of a root cause in this school is that individual process failures are the source of problems. This type of RCA is closely allied with the practice of process improvement.
- Systems-based RCA has emerged as an amalgamation of the preceding schools, along with ideas taken from fields such as change management, risk management, and systems thinking. A root cause, according to this school, often exists at the level of organizational culture and strategic management.
Quality Control and Tracking :: Business Services
Business Transformation :: Management
Management Science :: Management
Theory of Constraints :: Management
Occupational Health and Safety
Information Assets :: Knowledge Management
Industrial and Organizational :: Psychology
Quality Engineering :: Technology
Reliability Engineering :: Technology
Safety Engineering :: Technology
'Lil quality humor RT @LeanBlog: Doing a root cause analysis on why we had audio problems during webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
ASQ_Seiche (Seiche Sanders) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:12:06 -0000
'Lil quality humor RT @LeanBlog: Doing a root cause analysis on why we had audio problems during webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
RT @LeanBlog: Will be doing a root cause analysis of why we had audio problems during our webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
lorko (Andrew Lorking) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:10:57 -0000
RT @LeanBlog: Will be doing a root cause analysis of why we had audio problems during our webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
very good! RT @LeanBlog:Will be doing a root cause analysis of why we had audio problems during our webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
Ivara (Ivara) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:04:25 -0000
very good! RT @LeanBlog:Will be doing a root cause analysis of why we had audio problems during our webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
Will be doing a root cause analysis of why we had audio problems during our webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
leanblog (Mark Graban) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:48:05 -0000
Will be doing a root cause analysis of why we had audio problems during our webinar on lean mistake proofing. #irony
Richard Mesker Sends Photos from 2-Day TapRooT® Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Class for IPSL in Tri... http://bit.ly/53z74P
TapRooT_RCA (TapRooT® RCA) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:41:39 -0000
Richard Mesker Sends Photos from 2-Day TapRooT® Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Class for IPSL in Tri... http://bit.ly/53z74P
Working with EMC to get a Root Cause Analysis for our issue
eczerwin (Ed Czerwin) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:57:03 -0000
Working with EMC to get a Root Cause Analysis for our issue
Accident-Investigators.org - Discussion forum dedicated to accident investigation topics. Free registration required.
Common Blogarithms - Weblog focused on root cause analysis, problem solving, accident investigation, organizations, safety, and nuclear energy. By Bill Wilson.
Failsafe Network - A collection of thoughts about root cause analysis, by C. Robert Nelms at Failsafe Network.
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Failsafe Network Blog - A Collection of Thoughts about Root Cause Analysis per C. Robert Nelms at Failsafe Network, developer of The Root Cause Experience, the Maxi-RCA, Midi-RCA, Mini-RCA, WHY Trees.
Investigation Process Research Roundtable and Library - Research material on the investigation process. Critical of root cause analysis as generally practiced. Offers online papers, reports, and reviews.
National Patient Safety Agency - Gateway to on-line training programme provided by the National Patient Safety Agency of the UK National Health Service.
Noordwijk Risk Initiative Foundation - Dedicated to sharing knowledge in the field of risk management. Provides information on investigation and analysis tools such as Change Control Cause Analysis and the Management Oversight and Risk Tree.
Performance Improvement Stages, Steps and Tools - Interactive site documenting a complete performance improvement process with root cause analysis as the core component, originally developed for medical care, but applicable in many other fields.
ReliabilityWeb - Compendium of reliability and analysis resources. Features online seminars, training event schedules, Root Cause IQ quiz, Ask an Expert, and a vendor directory.
Meta Description: [ Resources for root cause analysis and reliability ]
Root Cause Analysis by Bill Wilson - Root cause analysis information, covering topics such as purpose, definitions, processes, tools, and risk significance. Features articles, a blog, resource links, forum, and a wiki.
Meta Description: [ Root cause analysis - purpose, definitions, and processes. Free training, tools, and articles. ]
Root Cause Live - Community site for users and providers of performance improvement, failure analysis, and incident investigation services. Non-proprietary, non-industry-specific. Active online discussion forum.
Meta Description: [ The Root Cause Analysis Web Site designed to pull EVERYONE together, both USERS and PROVIDERS of Root Cause Methods and Services ]
Root Cause: State-of-the-Practice - Online forum with messages, links, and files related to building a description of the State-of-the-Practice. Free membership required.
Meta Description: [ Root_Cause_State_of_the_Practice: Root Cause : State-of-the-Practice ]
TapRooT - Weblog about root cause analysis, performance improvements, incident investigation, and TapRooT.
Meta Description: [ Root Cause Analysis Blog ]
TapRooT Blog - Blog about root cause analysis, performance improvements, incident investigation, and TapRooT.
The Basement Archive - Recent changes to a wiki about continuous improvement with a focus on root cause related topics.
The Corner Office - The most recently active topics at The Corner Office, a bulletin board on continuous improvement, accident investigation, root cause analysis, human performance, and process improvement.
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