Root Cause Analysis: REASON® and the 231.1-2 ORPS Requirements

 

 

REASON® Root Cause Analysis Software is designed to be a professional level tool that will aid in the adherence to and compliance with the recent redesign of the DOE ORPS Reporting Requirements.

The REASON Root Cause Analysis expert system software provides three levels of analysis. It starts by helping you assess the risk associated with the occurrence in order to determine the appropriate DOE Emergency/Significance Category; then launches one of three applicational modes that most effectively meets the objectives of the identified category; and finally associates the identified causes to the revised DOE Causal Analysis Tree.

 Root Cause Analysis Category 1: Emergencies and Significance

Root Cause Analysis in Pro Mode is the formal root cause analysis tool of choice for Emergency and Category 1 occurrences when analysis and response must remedy the immediate problem, prevent recurrence of the specific problem, and prevent occurrence of similar problems. Guided process, quality assurance checks, criteria for accuracy, and strict causal logic drives the REASON Pro process and validates data. Identified causes are associated with the revised DOE Causal Analysis Tree. Estimated process time is one or more days, and is a function of complexity and availability of data.

 Root Cause Analysis Category 2: Significance

Root Cause Analysis in Express Mode provides a structured root cause analysis methodology that can be applied to Category 2, both single event and recurring events. REASON Express provides a scalable work environment that enables the user to fine-tune the degree of investigative assistance that the software will provide. Some users may need more assistance than others. REASON Express enables users to scale the assistance in order to make best use of their time. This root cause analysis mode combines flexibility with rigor. The estimated process time is 2 – 8 hours. 

 Root Cause Analysis Categories 3 and 4: Significance

 Root Cause Analysis in Front-Line Mode provides a quick and consistent, informal method for determining and recording the Apparent Causes of occurrences. The estimated process time is 15 to 30 minutes. The root cause analysis format allows full flexibility in determining Apparent Causes. The user identifies the problem, its apparent cause or causes, and is guided to document the appropriate DOE codes from the Causal Analysis Tree. Front Line Mode would typically be applied to Category 3 and Category 4. A root cause analysis wizard guides the investigation portion of the process to identify prevention steps.

 Root Cause Analysis: Re-performed Analysis

 Root cause analysis performed with REASON has one important advantage. It is the easy with which re-analysis of events that have been re-classified into a higher Significance Category can be accomplished. Instead of starting over from square one in the new investigation, REASON Root Cause Analysis enables you to pick up with the data already gathered and continue with your re-analysis. Because you are always working within an ordered structure with REASON, reentering the process to upgrade analysis from Apparent Causes to Root Causes is a simple process, avoiding duplication of effort, and keying to the data already in the system to expand the detail of the root cause analysis toward developing solutions that prevent similar occurrences.

Root Cause Analysis REASON methodology -  In the three modes:

• Guides the process to identify Apparent and Root Causes and to determine appropriate DOE cause codes as established by the DOE Causal Analysis Tree (CAT).
• Provides a means to determine appropriate control responses that meet or exceed the criteria detailed by DOE in its revised Occurrence Reporting System Causal Analysis Manual for both Apparent and Root Causes.
• Saves the data in consistent format for lessons learned archiving and situational searching
• Provides interactive searching of REASON lessons learned data to assist in current analyses.
• Provides instant documentation: Narrative, Model and Analysis.

 Support Training

For information about REASON Two-day, training classes on the new ORPS version of REASON with the latest ORPS Cause Codes, please contact  DSI at  (903) 236 9973, or dsi@rootcause.com. Classes are available on site, at the REASON Training Center, regionally, at the Hammer Training Center or live on the Internet via WebCast.