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March 13, 2025 | Mark Paradies

Crazy People Changing the World

Mark Pointing Photo

Crazy People Start Revolutions

The video below is just 60 seconds long, but it is worth watching. Steve Jobs narrates the Think Different ad about changing the world…

My first computer was a Kaypro 2.

Kaypro II

But my second computer was a Lisa.

That was the first Mac Steve Jobs designed. It led to the MacIntosh revolution, which eventually changed the world.

How TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis is
Changing the Way the World Solves Problems

Mark Big Mustache
Mark Paradies in the Early Days

We started figuring out the fundamentals of root cause analysis in the mid-1980s. We started System Improvements in 1988 with a Mac and an Apple Laser Printer. We were crazy enough that we thought we could change the way that people found the root causes of problems.

By 1991, Linda Unger and Mark Paradies had developed the TapRooT® Incident Investigation System (advanced root cause analysis). And we wrote the first three-ring binder…

During the early 1990s, we did work for the US NRC, Chevron, GE, Intel, ARCO, Mobil, Fermilab, OSHA, EPA, Exxon, and many others.

In 1992, we started developing the first root cause analysis software – MacTapRooT™! It was finished in 1994.

MacTapRooT Software

We sold it with a MacIntosh Plus Computer in a backpack with a portable inkjet printer. The whole investigator’s workstation could be carried in the backpack for an investigation…

Macintosh Plus

In 1992, we started teaching courses outside the US. Here’s Linda Unger and Mark Paradies with some students at a course in London in the early 1990s…

Soon, we were teaching all over the world – Mexico, Thailand, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Denmark, Singapore, … and more.

Here’s Mark teaching a TapRooT® Course in Thailand…

And Linda teaching a TapRooT® Course in Aberdeen, Scotland…

That’s when we discovered that our mission had changed.

We were influencing people around the world. We realized that we were…

Performance leaders in various industries around the world were using TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis to stop fatalities and accidents and reduce minor incidents. Some were even using it proactively. Some applied it to quality issues, maintenance problems, and hospital patient safety sentinel events.

Yes, we were crazy enough to think we could change the way the world solves problems. That is our passion. And we convinced others to join our crazy mission.

Crazy People All Over the World Revolutionizing Performance

SI Staff at the Summit

Today, we have a staff of 30 people in Knoxville, Tennessee, and over 60 instructors worldwide, helping us “Change the Way the World Solves Problems.”

They have extensive experience in a wide variety of industries. They teach in a variety of languages. And they believe that using TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis can help people dramatically improve:

  • Safety
  • Quality
  • Operational excellence
  • Equipment reliability
  • Patient Safety

They are passionate about spreading the word about advanced root cause analysis and what it can do.

Kevin McManus teaching Trending

Their belief helps spread the excitement about finding the root causes of precursor incidents and learning from them to prevent major accidents. They know that when our clients put TapRooT® RCA to work, they will save lives, prevent injuries, and improve operations, quality, and equipment reliability.

sanjay gandhi

In addition to continually updating the TapRooT® Process, Books, Training, and Software, …

TapRooT® Books

…we are developing a new generation of expert TapRooT® Instructors.

Alex Paradies teaches a Stopping Human Error Course

To keep leading System Improvements and keep TapRooT® RCA progressing into the future.

Amy Souders

Thus continuing the legacy of excellence.

 

Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Help Change the Way the World Solves Problems

If you don’t know much about TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis, the easiest way to learn is to attend one of our public TapRooT® Courses. See the dates and locations for upcoming courses HERE.

Or sponsor a course at your site. CONTACT one of our Implementation Advisors about the best course for your site (see the various course types HERE).

Learn more about our patented, award-winning software and schedule an executive briefing.

Equifactor® Equipment Troubleshooting

If you have been trained to use TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis in the past, plan to attend the 2025 Global TapRooT® Summit held at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, TN. When? On September 29 – April 3. Learn about all the improvements that we’ve made to help you perform even better investigations and root cause analysis. Keep up to date and make your improvement program even better.

Summit - Hands in the air

And to all our clients around the world, thanks for your passion, support, ideas, and continued encouragement.

TapRooT® Users

Know that you are saving lives and changing the way the world solves problems.

Johannesburg
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