Root Cause Analysis Software History
The Early Days of Root Cause Analysis Software
I was there in the early days of root cause analysis software. I don’t think there was any root cause analysis software when we started our development in 1990.
The first software was just the MacFlow flowcharting software (which we resold) and the TapRooT™ Events & Causal Factors Charting Template. It was for people with Apple Macintosh computers.
In January of 1994, we completed our first MacTapRooT™ Software and then came out with an investigator’s workstation. For a short while, we were even Apple Computer resellers.
The workstation was built around an Apple Macintosh Plus and an inkjet printer that would fit in a backpack. It included two pieces of the software shown above (SnapCharT® and the Root Cause Tree®).
PC Based Root Cause Analysis Software
Even as we were releasing the Mac-based software, we were developing a PC version. We bought the rights to the MacFlow software and converted it to PC software called SnapCharT®. Then we developed a PC-based database for data from the Root Cause Tree®. That first software Beta came out in 1993.
By 1996, we came out with a more advanced version of the PC software called TapRooT® for Windows. We now think of that software as Version 3.
The disk above is the oldest disc (or picture of a disc) that we could find.
Patented Root Cause Analysis Software
In 1998 and 1999 we applied for and received (in 2002) patents (#6,463,441 and #6,735,597) for root cause analysis software (incident analysis and solution system).
It was quite an achievement for us to have the US Trademarks and Patents Office recognize the uniqueness of our approach to our database development and root cause analysis tools (especially the computerization of the Root Cause Tree® Diagram – pictured below from the patent application).
TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Software Version 4
Version 4 was released release in 2003 at the TapRooT® Summit.
TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Software Version 4 was the first TapRooT® Software with all the TapRooT® Techniques integrated into a single application. It included the new code that we licensed for the SnapCharT® Module. It was called the TapRooT® System Software Version 4. It could be loaded for individual use or for a server at a single site (the workgroup version).
TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Software Version 5
Revisions to Microsoft’s operating systems required software revisions to conform to new Microsoft standards. (Microsoft dropped support for MSDE – an old database tool used in the TapRooT® Software Version 4.) We rebuilt the software completely including a completely new version of the SnapCharT® Software that could be saved in the new TapRooT® Software Version 5 database.
We also wrote a program to convert data from Version 4 to Version 5 that would convert the SnapCharT®s to PDFs so that could be saved in the new database.
Version 5 was first released in 2007. It had two versions – one was a single-user version and one that was an enterprise version (disk shown above).
To navigate the software, you used the TapRooT® 7-Step Process that had all the TapRooT® Tools built-in and were accessed by clicking on them.
In addition, the Root Cause Tree®, Dictionary, and Corrective Action Helper® Modules were supported in four different languages: English, Spanish, French, and German.
Even before we finished the development of our last version of the Version 5 software we had a new idea. Read on for what we decided to do.
Cloud-Based Root Cause Analysis Software
In June of 2011, Steve Jobs introduced iCloud and I thought…
“We need our software in the cloud!“
And that was the start of the development of TapRooT® Software Version VI (sometimes just referred to as Six or VI) that would be cloud-based. Dan Verlinde (CIO at SI) started that development before we had completed the last version of Version V.
Back in 2011, “the cloud” seemed exotic. Would corporate users adopt it? We saw the future and knew people and big companies would eventually want their root cause analysis software in the cloud. And we were right.
By the time we completed the software’s first version (first shown at the Summit in 2016) companies were getting more accustomed to cloud-based software and hosting.
TapRooT® Users could get their company to purchase a TapRooT® Version VI license and host the software on their own cloud, or they could purchase a license and we would host the software on a cloud for them (TapRooT® Hosted). Also, individuals could buy a license and we would host their individual use version of the software.
Why do companies have System Improvements host their root cause analysis software? Charlene explains it in an article below…
The Latest TapRooT® Software – Version 6.10
As the years rolled by, we enhance and improve the TapRooT® Software until now we are on Version 6.10.
About three times a year we issue a new version, or at least improvements, to the TapRooT® Version 6 Software.
Root Cause Analysis Software Apps
But there’s more! That right, I haven’t mentioned the TapRooT® Software App. The App was first released in 2020. In 2021, we released Version 2.
What can the TapRooT® App do for you? Watch this video for a “play” about the new software’s capabilities…
Or you can watch a less dramatic version of the 6.10.0 features here…
Free 90 Day Software Trial
But there’s more! In 2019 we decided that once people tried our Version 6 Software, they could not stop using it. So we developed a FREE trial software offer.
Here is what Benna and Michelle have to say about this offer…
If you are interested, contact Michelle, Benna, or Becky at 865-539-2139. Or CLICK HERE to contact us by e-mail.
Continuous Improvement
As you can see from the number of revisions above, we have been continuously improving our root cause analysis software to keep up with the latest improvements in TapRooT® and the latest changes in software implementation. We now have industry-leading, cloud-based software that can help you perform outstanding root cause analysis of simple incidents/precursor incidents or tough, complex accidents.
Learn More
If you still have questions about root cause analysis software, we would be glad to answer them. Call us at 865-539-2139 or CLICK HERE to contact us.
If you want more information about TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Training, CLICK HERE.
And if you would like to see the dates and locations of upcoming public TapRooT® Courses (including virtual courses), CLICK HERE.
Finally, to get a quote for a course at your site, call 865-539-2139 or CLICK HERE.
