Root cause analysis
Root cause analysis is the process of learning from consequences. The consequences can be desirable, but most root cause analysis deals with adverse consequences, e.g., the so-called d-words: death, damage, delay, disruption, dollars (of loss), disgrace, discredit, discharges (to the environment), etc.
The generally accepted principles of root cause analysis include:
- Do all reasoning from solid evidence.
- Determine what influenced the consequences, i.e., determine the necessary and sufficient influences that explain the nature and the magnitude of the consequences.
- Establish tightly linked chains of influence.
- At every level of analysis determine the necessary and sufficient influences.
- Whenever feasible drill down to root causes.
- There are always multiple root causes.
