How to Do 'Root Cause Analysis' for Problem Solving?

The concept of root cause analysis in problem-solving specifically addresses whether there can be multiple root causes for a problem.

Learn about the practical examples to understand the process of identifying the root cause of a problem.

The concept of problem and standard

A problem is identified when there is a deviation from a set standard.

Therefore, having a standard in place is crucial to determine if a problem has occurred.

The standard serves as a benchmark from which any deviation is considered a problem.

The path to identifying root cause

The root cause of a problem is the primary driver that, when addressed, can turn the mechanism of the problem on and off.

It is essential to state the solution to the problem to reach its root cause.

This process goes beyond merely identifying the occurrence of a problem.

The myth of multiple root causes

While it might seem like a problem can have multiple root causes, often, these are mere inputs or contributing factors.

For instance, heat, oxygen, and fuel, often cited as root causes of a fire, are inputs rather than the root cause.