Definition
A systematic method for identifying the fundamental, underlying reasons for a problem, rather than merely addressing its symptoms.
Why It Matters
Root cause analysis is the only way to stop ‘firefighting’ problems; without it, organizations waste infinite energy patching symptoms while the underlying disease continues to erode the system’s integrity.
Core Concepts
- The 5 Whys: Iteratively asking “why” to drill down through layers of causation.\n- Fishbone Diagrams (Ishikawa): Categorizing potential causes (e.g., people, processes, equipment).\n- Fault Tree Analysis: Using Boolean logic to model how component failures lead to system failure.