What is an Efficient Root Cause Analysis?

Efficient Root Cause Analysis

What is efficient root cause analysis? Some people may equate efficient root cause analysis with fast root cause analysis. Others may think that efficient root cause analysis takes the least effort by the investigator.

I would argue that both of these conclusions are incorrect. What is efficient root cause analysis? Read on to see…

What Are You Trying to Achieve with Your Root Cause Analysis?

To measure efficiency, you have to have a goal. Thus a root cause analysis must have a goal BEFORE you can efficiently accomplish that goal.

For example, if you don’t have a goal for your root cause analysis, any old answer will do. You can simply jump to a conclusion, prescribe more training, and you have efficiently accomplished nothing.

If your goal is to apply a simple tool, just ask why five times. This is also easy because you can usually justify a corrective action that you already have in mind. Thus, the root cause analysis lets you do what you already planned to do and doesn’t require any investigative effort or inconvenient corrective actions. Yes, your corrective action may not solve the problem BUT, it was efficient!

Finally, if your goal is to prevent similar incidents and effectively improve performance, you are going to need to:

• Understand what happened.
• Identify all the Causal Factors that contributed to the incident.
• Find the root cause of each Causal Factor.
• Decide if you need to identify Generic Causes
• Develop effective corrective actions to eliminate the root and Generic Causes.

That sounds like the simple TapRooT® Process for low-to-medium risk incidents…

What is Your Definition of Efficient Root Cause Analysis?

How do you define efficient root cause analysis? Is it:

• fast?
• little effort?
• simple technique?
• accomplishing your goal of preventing repeat incidents?

I hope you pick the right answer because lives might depend on it! (Or at least your job might depend on it.)

How to Learn Efficient RCA

If you would like to learn advanced root cause analysis that includes the root cause analysis fundamentals needed for efficient root cause analysis, you should consider attending the 2-Day TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Training being offered at sites around the world. See THIS LINK for upcoming course dates and locations.

Not sure if you should attend? Let us take away all doubt. This course is GUARANTEED. Here is the course guarantee:

Attend this course, go back to work, and use what you have learned to analyze accidents, incidents, near-misses, equipment failures, operating issues, or quality problems. If you don’t find root causes that you previously would have overlooked and if you and your management don’t agree that the corrective actions that you recommend are much more effective, just return your course materials and we will refund the entire course fee.

Please note: Our public courses are popular and frequently fill up. To make sure you get the first choice of the upcoming TapRooT® Training that you want to attend, register today.

Would you like to schedule a course at your site? Please CONTACT US for details (or call us at 865-530-2139).

Make TapRooT® RCA Even More Efficient

Want to make your TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis even more efficient? Use the TapRooT® Software. The TapRooT® Software can save you time with the following features:

• Easy to use TapRooT® System with all the TapRooT® Tools
• Convenient access to the Root Cause Tree®, Dictionary, and Corrective Action Helper® Guide.
• Easy to develop custom reports/presentations that can be saved and used by all investigators.
• A cloud-based system with exceptional security and convenient access.
• Collaborate remotely.
• Includes new Causal Factor Worksheets and Grading Investigation features.

For more information about the TapRooT® Software and to schedule an executive briefing, call 865-539-2139.