TapRooT® RCA vs HOP: Do you have to choose one?
Let’s start with the major difference between the TapRooT® Methodology and HOP Guidance:
- HOP identifies the type of human error and recommends broad categories of system improvements.
- TapRooT® RCA helps investigators collect critical human performance-based evidence to drive the analysis using the TapRooT® Root Cause Tree® and Dictionary. That analysis will identify the specific system weaknesses (root causes) that allowed the error to occur. Instead of simply recommending “improve procedures,” it helps determine exactly what is wrong with the procedure (missing content, poor usability, incorrect sequencing, unavailable at point of use, etc.), leading to more targeted, effective, and defensible corrective actions.
For example:
| Human Error | Generic HOP Action | More Specific System-Based Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Slip | Add a visual cue | Install keyed connectors, improve labeling, redesign controls, change equipment layout, and add independent verification where needed. |
| Lapse | Use checklist | Redesign workflow, implement place-keeping, reduce interruptions, automate critical steps, simplify task sequencing. |
| Mistake/violation | Improve training | Revise decision criteria, task analysis, improve procedures, provide decision-support tools, redesign interfaces, improve hazard identification. |
| Latent Errors | Fix the system weakness that caused the error | Eliminate conflicting incentives, redesign tasks to make the safe way the easiest way, address staffing, scheduling, equipment, or planning deficiencies. |
Do you have to choose one over the other? I wholeheartedly believe you can start a HOP program, but it’s not going to solve your problems alone. Your team needs the guidance, support, and human performance knowledge that TapRooT® RCA provides. Here are a few examples of the guidance TapRooT® RCA provides. Click on any tool for a deeper dive.
Capture the human performance context using the SnapCharT® tools and document it in a SnapCharT®. Visualizing the context improves understanding and speeds up the RCA process.
Analyze human performance and equipment difficulty with the TapRooT® Root Cause Tree® and Dictionary. These tools identify the specific system weaknesses that allowed the error by evaluating the conditions surrounding it, shifting the focus from blaming individuals to understanding the system.
Develop effective corrective actions with the Corrective Action Helper®. Root causes reveal missing knowledge or best practices in your systems. Corrective actions should strengthen those systems by adding the knowledge and practices needed to better support people. Every TapRooT® investigation improves your systems, making it a valuable part of any operational excellence, continuous improvement, or Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) program.
At the end of the day, TapRooT® RCA training will help the team identify the specific system weakness or root cause that allowed mistakes or errors to occur. Every time you apply TapRooT® RCA to your proactive or reactive investigations or learning opportunities, you’ll improve the systems that support the workforce. When the workforce is better supported and performs better, many problems go away, making the organization safer, more efficient, and more profitable. It fits perfectly with continuous improvement or operational excellence programs. It provides a process and structure for repeatable results!
Your choice:
- Implement HOP and TapRooT® RCA together for an effective program.
- Or make things easier and more streamlined by providing TapRooT® RCA Training to your team.
Either option will equip your team with the knowledge and tools to continuously improve the systems that support employee performance. I see it after every TapRooT® Course I conduct: your team will appreciate the training (even the skeptics!) and thank the management team for the opportunity.
One of the best ways to explore TapRooT® RCA is to attend a public course or contact us about setting up a private course. Check out our public course schedule here. Click on any course to see the course description and agenda. You register using the same link.
If you would like to learn exactly what is covered in our TapRooT® RCA Training, you can request a TapRooT® Briefing and Demo here.
