 |
 |
 |
Download root cause analysis template in Microsoft Word format.
Using Root Cause Analysis Examples To Find Solutions
Root cause analysis examples can be drawn from a wide range of events/circumstances. Root cause analysis or RCA represents a series of methods to solve problems by identifying the root cause of the event or problem. Symptomatic solutions are often short lived and therefore, by addressing the root cause and correcting it or eliminating the cause, recurrence can be prevented through long lasting solutions.
Root cause analysis is often an ongoing process and often interactive in character. In short, RCA can be used in different walks of life to achieve continuous improvement. Typical root cause analysis examples will follow a well designed path to arrive at the solution. The following steps are useful in most situations, but can be modified according to the event/problem to which the analysis is applied.
- Factual description/definition of the problem
- Gathering evidence/data and creating a chronological sequence leading to the problem or failure
- Exploring the “whys” for each step in the sequence and identifying the causes
- Classifying the causes into root causes and casual factors and understanding how solutions could have impacted the event/problem
- Looking for multiple causes and documenting them for further analysis
- Evolving corrective action/actions to prevent recurrence with certainty
- Ensuring that the corrective measures can be controlled and will not lead to new problems
- Implementing the recommendations from root cause analysis
- Checking for effectiveness of the prescribed solution/s
Learned people around the globe have contributed to the evolution of different techniques employed in root cause analysis. Some of these techniques are specific to the event or environment in which the problem surfaces. For instance, root cause analysis examples from a medical environment can use a technique designed for the medical world and all the components of the technique may not be relevant in a business environment. However, you will notice that most root cause analysis examples will largely follow the steps outlined above.
In modern times, computers and the internet have made path breaking contributions in creating a series of software applications for root cause analysis. For the users, this provides great advantages by significantly cutting down the time consumed and providing more reliable solutions.
When you are critically examining root cause analysis examples, you cannot fail to notice that the exercise often spans functions and causes that are even remotely related to the event. In a business environment for instance, RCA can encompass manpower, materials, equipment/machines, environment, methods, management systems, management and more. Each of these functions can further be broken down to finite functions for achieving a higher degree of focus. Manpower for instance can be further segmented to deficiency in skill, lack of motivation, inadequate knowledge, lacking in capabilities, environmental factors like heat, cold, etc. By breaking down the major components of an RCA, it is often easier to gather more relevant data, involve more people in some cases, and lend better depth to the whole exercise. RCA can oftentimes be time consuming but since the objective is to find permanent and long term solutions, short cut methods are generally not accepted.