Root Cause Analysis

What is Root Cause Analysis about?

Root Cause Analysis is a structured investigation that aims to identify the underlying cause of a defect or problem, and the countermeasures necessary to eliminate it.

Mistakes, errors, faults, waste and rework are diseases that infect every organisation reducing productivity and effectiveness while lowering morale throughout the workforce.

Underneath the 'cause' of a problem, the real cause is hidden. In every case we must dig up the real cause by asking why, why, why, why, why? ¹

Management would like to track down the root causes for these problems and eliminate them entirely but is often simply satisfied to have found someone to blame. Because individual members of staff are held responsible it is difficult to obtain good data on errors because people are frightened to offer information that they know will be used against them.

Thus the symptoms are explained away but the underlying disease continues to cause ever worsening damage elsewhere. Just like in medieval medicine there is often no realisation that seemingly different problems often come from the same causes. Analysis becomes impossible unless the blame culture is eradicated and management takes responsibility for the design of the system which contains the faults and in which their people work.

Our Approach

We at Tsana Associates believe that at least 95% of problems come from the design of the system. This moves away from blaming people. Our approach to Root Cause Analysis unearths these predominant systemic causes and enables the people in the organisation to design changes that will reduce or even eliminate systemic problems. Our consultancy:

gives people a clear methodology and tools to use in their Hunt for Root Cause.

makes it clear that the opportunities lie in the system rather than with individual blame.

makes clear links with other initiatives such as Six-Sigma or Business Process Improvement.

involves the people who matter in the drive for improvement and effectiveness.

Contact us for more information

¹ Ohno, T., (1978) The Toyota production system: beyond large-scale production. English Translation 1988, Productivity Press, pp 17-18 & 126-127.