Root Cause Analysis

Root cause analysis methodology in the past has presented a common dilemma associated with selecting an operations problem solving system. If one chose to use an unstructured approach, the resulting analyses of major problems were never adequate. On the other hand, if one chose to use on everyday problems a structured approach that was more suitable for complex, major loss events, the amount of time and effort spent on those smaller problems often seemed inappropriate.

With REASON, the first step in the software process is to assess the significance of the risk represented by the problem, so that REASON can scale the rigor and time of the analysis to the importance of the problem. This risk assessment step guides you to the most efficient use of time, and to the level of solution data best suited for resolve of the problem.

No other system has . . . or even claims such capability.

Root cause analysis data should be verifiable. Management should never be expected to accept the recommendations of the analysis without some means to verify accuracy. 

REASON® has a built-in quality control feature. It automatically checks each step of an investigation for accuracy, and provides a simple way for both the analyst and the decision maker to verify quickly the accuracy of the data and analysis.

No other system has . . . or even claims such capability. 

Root Cause Analysis Completeness

"Does it give us visibility of all of our prevention options?" 

Root cause analysis should never mask data away from a manager. When a manager has paid for the resources of time and effort to solve a major problem, he should get the full value of the resources. He should see all of the root causes and have the option to make his own decisions. He should have visibility of everything he can do to deal with the problem, because only he knows the goals, budgets, plans, resources and limitations of the organization. If a problem-solving system allows someone to use opinion and assumptions to identify root causes and best solutions, that flaw often allows some root causes to go unnoticed. Thus, those solution options are never reported to the manager. When this happens, the system itself is limiting the executive’s options, and in effect is often permitting the analyst to make executive decisions by default. 

REASON® provides a standard process that enables the analyst to discover all internal prevention options. Causes are identified, modeled, and analyzed for control benefit. The modeling criterion enforces the process, and provides the manager with the ability to review all options at a glance in order to make sure that important opportunities for control and prevention have not been overlooked.

No other system has . . . or even claims such capability.

Root Cause Analysis Comparability 

Root cause analysis is intended to be a decision support system. The best thing the manager could hope for would be for a way to compare the benefits of each of the options that are available to him before he made his decision.  If he could see which option, or which combination of options provided the best and most cost-effective benefit, it would remove the major obstacle to quick decisions, and it would enable the manager to make solid decisions. . . every time. 

The REASON® expert system software supports an objective quantification standard that can be used to measure the causal system identified by the REASON analysis. The REASON technology provides the only objective measure of causal factors. REASON can measure each factor in an investigation for the role that it played in producing a problem. The REASON system measures each root cause, and compares the amount of prevention benefit available from each prevention option. Thus, managers can determine benefits before allocating resources.

 No other system has…or even claims such capability. 

Root Cause Analysis Repeatability

Root cause analysis methodology should above all provide a reliable means for different individuals to produce accurate and consistent results. To achieve consistent results from within a group of individuals requires a process shared in common. The process itself must require and produce the results, rather than the individual’s special personal qualities. Without criteria for accuracy and completeness, there can be no reliable process. When an organization deploys a problem solving approach that relies upon the opinions and personal experiences of the individual , it is virtually impossible and certainly not realistic to expect that the approach will provide consistent quality from one person to another. Each of us has a different set of experiences,  education and opinions. 

Because REASON provides a set of rules to follow that guides the process, and a set of criteria for assuring accuracy, in order to make sure that the data produced by the inquiry are accurate and complete, the REASON analysis process is repeatable. That is, two persons , working separately on the same problem (with equal access to data) will produce the same results with REASON. This is because they share a standardized  process that guides them to the correct causes of the problem.  

 No other system has…or even claims such capability.

 Root Cause Analysis Flexibility

One organization runs around the clock. Another has dozens of small facilities spread across the globe. Another has seasonal shifts in production. One wants a specialized, crack team of problem solvers. Another wants to push the problem solving skills out to the shop floor, but can spare personnel only a few at a time, and only a few hours at a time from the operation. Each has a different set of logistics that must be factored into the deployment plan in order to assure immediate and sustaining success into the future. 

This critical success issue was the criterion that guided both how we designed REASON to function and how we designed the delivery system to convey the REASON skills and tools to clients: 

• Expert system software scaleable for all applications (big and small – simple and complex)
• Methodology geared to the business processes, so that all types of problems can be addressed
• Training available on your site, or at our training facilities, or by WebCast over the Internet.
• Global technical support via phone, fax and the web.

 No other system has…or even claims such capability.

 Root Cause Analysis Data Accessibility

 Root cause analysis data should not be stuck away on a dusty shelf or buried in a cluttered drawer. Instead, each time someone identifies an internal cause of an operations problem, the organization should recognize that corporate knowledge has been created. Typically, that knowledge is applied to solve the immediate problem, but it usually is virtually lost at that point because traditional lessons learned approaches do not make the right kind of information immediately available in a form that can be used practically on the job.  

With REASON, every time a problem is solved, the knowledge gained flows automatically into your  REASON Lessons Learned System. Your personnel submit a personal profile of the important issues of concern that impact their job processes and responsibilities. REASON watches to find when the inflowing data matches an individual’s profile of concerns. An email is immediately sent to that individual when a match is found. Vital data about existing or developing problems are communicated in seconds to just those individuals who need the data and can do something immediately about a potential problem in their area. Also, the knowledge is accessible on-the-spot when an employee on the job needs answers that will help avoid someone’s past mistake. It is an early warning system for operations improvement.

No other system has…or even claims such capability.

We Are Here To Help

 There you have the Value Criteria that set REASON apart from all of the other problem solving approaches.  Good luck in your research and evaluation. We hope that we have been of some help.

 Root cause analysis information, please contact us if you have any questions or need references: 903 236 9973, dsi@rootcause.com. 

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