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Root Cause Analysis
Root cause analysis investigates the underlying causes of a problem so an improvement effort can address them.
Root cause analysis is a structured investigation into the underlying causes of a problem. It uses evidence and analysis tools to explain why the problem occurred and identify causes that an improvement effort can address.
Identifying a cause is one step in resolving a recurring problem. Corrective changes still need to be implemented and evaluated; completing an analysis alone does not establish that the problem has been resolved.
Source: ASQ: Root Cause Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does completing a root cause analysis prove the problem is fixed?
No. Analysis identifies causes. Implementing changes and evaluating the results are separate parts of the improvement effort.
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