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.
- Establish tightly linked chains of influence.
- Whenever feasible drill down to root causes.
- There are always multiple root causes.