Root Cause Analysis Training
Root cause analysis is a process that uses several problem-solving methods to identify the origin of a problem. The analysis answers when, how, and why a problem occurred in the first place and implements an effective solution to ensure the problem doesn’t happen again.
Sometimes, the RCA process highlights other areas of improvement in the organization and provides an opportunity to eliminate future problems. There is not one single way to perform root cause analysis successfully. Instead, it encourages creative and critical thinking to discover all possible causes that led to the original problem. Many problem-solving tools and strategies can be used in the process.
RCA is based on the basic idea that having a truly effective system means more than just putting out fires all day. That’s why RCA starts with figuring out how, where, and why the issue appeared.
Then it goes further: RCA strives to respond to that answer—in order to prevent it from happening again.
RCA normally has several goals. The first goal is to discover the root cause of a problem or event. The second goal is to fully understand how to fix, compensate, or learn from any underlying issues within the root cause. The third goal is to apply what we learn from this analysis to systematically prevent future issues or to repeat successes.
Organizations benefit from root cause analysis because it brings together causes from diverse sources and links them via logical relationships. It removes sensitivities, focuses thinking and facilitates review. Effective solutions become clear and opportunities for companywide learning and memory are maximized.
Organizations that practice root cause analysis find ultimate solutions to problems by using one or more specific tools, such as:
- Fishbone Diagram
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Pareto Chart
Perhaps the most popular tools is better known as the 5 Whys. The 5 Whys technique is a simple and effective tool for solving problems. Its primary goal is to find the exact reason that causes a given problem by asking a sequence of “Why” questions.
Benefits of the 5 Whys include:
- The 5 Whys method helps your team focus on finding the root cause of any problem.
- It encourages each team member to share ideas for continuous improvement, rather than blaming others.
- It gives your team the confidence that it can eliminate any problem and prevent the process from recurring failures.
Most authorities in root cause analysis recommend empowering one person to facilitate the whole process. This team leader will ask the questions and try to keep the team focused. The answers should be based on facts and real data, rather than on emotional opinions.
The facilitator should ask “Why” as many times as needed until the team can identify the root cause of the initial problem.
Root Cause Analysis Training Courses by Tonex
Tonex offers more than 30 courses in Root Cause Analysis. Many of the courses focus on the fundamentals of Root Cause Analysis tailored to specific user groups, such as:
- Root Cause Analysis Training for Engineers
- Root Cause Analysis Training for Non-Engineers
- Root Cause Analysis Training for Healthcare Professionals
- Root Cause Analysis Training for Supervisors
- Root Cause Analysis Training for Beginners.
Other Root Cause Analysis courses focus more on specific training topics such as the 2-day Statistical Process Control Training course or the 2-day Design Verification Plan & Report Training course.
There are even classes where the focus is on particular tools used in Root Cause Analysis:
The courses cover a wide range of topics including how RCA can be helpful in such areas as:
- Major accidents
- Everyday incidents
- Minor near-misses
- Human errors
- Maintenance problems
- Medical mistakes
- Productivity issues
- Manufacturing mistakes
- Environmental releases
- Risk analysis, risk mapping
Participants also learn how RCA can be beneficial for:
- Identifying the burdens and the root causes of problems in order to coming up with permanent solutions
- Enabling to establish a rational methodology to problem-solving, by utilizing the available data
- Exploring the current and future needs for organizational improvement
- Developing repeatable, step-by-step protocols, in which one process verifies the results of another.
The various RCA approaches are also covered. Attendees learn about:
–The “5-Whys” Analysis
–Barrier Analysis
–Change Analysis
–Causal Factor Tree Analysis
–Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
–Fishbone Diagram or Ishikawa Diagram
–Pareto Analysis
–Fault Tree Analysis
Why Choose Tonex?
Tonex has been conducting Root Cause Analysis training throughout the world since 1993. The world class instructors at Tonex have trained engineers, managers and technicians on how to effectively solve problems using a variety of Root Cause Analysis tools and techniques.
We have clients from organizations, agencies and companies large and small. Many of our customers are repeat clients. One reason is that at Tonex we tailor courses to your group’s specific needs.
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Root Cause Analysis Training