Root Cause Analysis for Beginners

Abstract: Root cause analysis (RCA) is a tool to help identify what, how, and why an event occurred so that steps can be taken to prevent future occurrences. Additionally, RCA may be used to target opportunities for systemwide improvement. Root causes are specific underlyin…

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Thanks, a useful document.
--Shirley Li, 05-24-2011

Great points. Will support our RCA efforts.
--Larry, 01-20-2011

Fantastic briefing with very simple examples, making it much simpler to understand. Thanks.
--Sameer Chauhan, 08-25-2010

An excellent article, very detailed description. It would be great if similar articles on software projects/problems RCA is published, as I have always found only RCA articles either related to manufacturing industry problems or general problem areas.
--Malay Srinivas, 08-09-2010

Excellent article. Reminded me to trend root causes across like processes.
--Gerry Corr, 06-04-2010

Very well defined and explained through flow diagrams and examples.
--Vinai Kumar, 05-21-2010

Excellent article with sufficient detail to implement and execute.
--Barbara Haines, 05-21-2010

--Phillip Sugg, 05-21-2010

This is a very good description of one of the many methods of root cause analysis. It is also one of the better articles in QP in months.
--Tom Fessenden, 05-20-2010

One acid test is "Do the factors identified explain the nature, the magnitude, the location, and the timing of the key consequences?" If the analysis does not pass, you can be sure there is something missing.
--William R. Corcoran, PhD, PE, 07-14-2009

Thanks, excellent article. It is simple and informative. ???
--Marwan Khazindar, 03-11-2008

an abolutely useful article
--raviupadhye, 03-10-2008

--Christi Wallace, 02-26-2008

--Indira Ramjit, 02-20-2008

--Paul Callanan, 02-07-2008