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LAST CHANCE to Book a Room in the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit Hotel Block
February 3rd, 2012 by Barb
Monday, February 6, 2012 is your last opportunity to book a room in the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit Hotel Block.
By staying at the conference hotel, you will enjoy the value, convenience and perks of residing at the conference venue, including:
1) Room block rates starting at just $79.00.
2) Excellent location (the Flamingo wasn’t built on the Strip, the Strip was build around the Flamingo)
3) One free drink ticket at one of three Flamingo bars issued at check-in (limited to those who book in the TapRooT® block).
4) Special in-room Internet rate of just $6.95 (limited to those who book in the TapRooT® block).
5) Bars and nightlife, dining, entertainment, casino, salon and spa, shopping and a wildlife habitat – all onsite!
BOOK ONLINE: It’s easy to book online to get the special room block rate – just register here. There’s no better place to stay during Summit week than the Flamingo Las Vegas!
Job Opening: Galway, Ireland – NUI Galway – Quality Engineer at the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland – Leads Root Cause Analysis Efforts
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark ParadiesPress Release by the UK Rail Accident Investigation Branch: Investigation into an incident involving the overhead line near Littleport, Cambridgeshire on 5 January 2012
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark ParadiesPRESS RELEASE:
At about 07:19 hrs on Thursday 5 January 2011, two windows in the passenger compartment of train 1T53, the 06:51 hrs service from Kings Lynn to London Kings Cross, were broken when part of the train’s equipment fell from the roof about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Littleport, Cambridgeshire. The equipment, a pantograph assembly mounted on top of the carriage which is used to collect electricity from overhead lines, became detached after hitting one of the structures which support the overhead lines. Two passengers were injured, and there was some damage to both the train and the overhead line equipment.
The RAIB’s preliminary examination has found that the accident occurred because the head of the pantograph lost contact with the overhead line when travelling at a speed of about 80 mph (128 km/h) through an area where high winds were blowing across the railway. The train brakes were applied and the driver brought the train to a controlled stop in a distance of about 1.5 miles (2.4 km), near Queen Adelaide level crossing, a location where he could obtain assistance.
Image showing damage to incident train
The RAIB’s further investigation will examine the way in which Network Rail implemented its procedure for dealing with the effect of high winds and the factors which led to the loss of contact between the pantograph and the overhead line. It will also consider why the pantograph assembly failed in such a way that damage was caused to the windows on the side of the train.
The RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigation by the police or safety authority (the Office of Rail Regulation).
The RAIB will publish a report or a bulletin to present the findings of this investigation. This will be available on the RAIB website.
Accident at Sea: Cause Was “Crew Failure” or Bad Weather”? Neither is a Root Cause!
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark Paradies
The grounding of the Costa Concordia was not the first accident for the Costa line.
A previous fatal accident happened while mooring in Egypt in February of 2010.
However, after two years, the analysis of that investigation has not been submitted to the International Maritime Organization by the Italian authorities.
And even if it had, the company is arguing that the crash with the pier was caused by “bad wether” while others say it was “crew error.” Neither of these are a root cause.
See a BBC report on the previous accident and the failure to file a report at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16823955
And see our previous post about another grounding – this time of the Costa Fortuna – at:
Job Opening: New Roads, LA – NRG – Electrical Engineer – Needs Equifactor® Equipment Troubleshooting and TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Software Experience
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark ParadiesJob Opening: Aurora, CO – Enclipse Corp. – QA/TEST LEAD – Performs Root Cause Analysis and Develops Corrective Actions
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark Paradies25 Days Until the 2012 TapRooT® Summit in Las Vegas – Naomi Presents the Top 5 Attractions in Las Vegas
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark ParadiesFriday Joke: Amazing
February 3rd, 2012 by Mark Paradies26 Days Until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit! What is the LAST DAY TO GET SPECIAL SUMMIT HOTEL RATE?
February 2nd, 2012 by Mark Paradies
February 6th is the last day you can get the special hotel rate in the TapRooT® Summit block.
Get the hotel info here:
Great Human Factors: Can intuitive tool design override previous training?
February 2nd, 2012 by Chris ValleeWatch the Chimpanzee vs. Human Child in a learning experiment.
Here is the video link: http://youtu.be/nHuagL7x5Wc
We are all trained or learn by trail and error on how to use equipment or how to use it “properly”. What happens when you get a better “understanding” of how the equipment works? Here are some of the choices that we could make:
1. Ignore the previous training and just get the prize (work done faster like the Chimpanzee)
2. Continue the rules that you learned or were trained to do (at least in front of the bosses like the children).
3. Stop and ask what’s up?
4. Stop using the the tool all together and do not tell anyone.
Often the previous training and experience overrides the new operation steps needed… ever been totally frustrated every time someone changes your computer’s Microsoft Windows version? And no, training by itself does not override past experience, practice and repetition does!
I had a discussion not too long ago that OSHA forklift training requirements were met when people we retrained after changing forklifts. Unfortunately, the controls worked exactly opposite on the new forklift and the quick review did nothing to override the past knowledge and muscle motor memory.
Just something to think about when you think “Great Human Factors.”
TapRooT® Summit Trivia – Astronaut Trivia
February 2nd, 2012 by Mark ParadiesWe are having Astronaut Ken Mattingly of Apollo 13 fame speak at the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit (Las Vegas, Feb 29 – Mar 2).
Who was the first Astronaut to speak at the TapRooT® Summit?
What city was that Summit held in?
What year was it held?
Here’s a picture if it jogs your mind …
Trial Starts in Toronto Three Years After the Sunrise Propane Explosion
February 1st, 2012 by Mark ParadiesHere’s a link to a CBC News Story:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/01/30/sunrise-court-case-explosion.html
Here’s video footage of the explosions and fires:
The 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit Starts in Just 27 Days – Advisory Board Dinner is Thursday Night
February 1st, 2012 by Mark ParadiesThis video starts at the Voodoo lounge where we will hold the TapRooT® Advisory Board Dinner on Thursday Night.
Note that there is a FREE shuttle from the Flamingo Hotel (where the Summit will be held) over to the Rio – Use it on the way back from dinner.
The Flamingo, where we will be holding the Summit, is a landmark. It was the first hotel built on the strip (although the current building was rebuilt and is constantly being renovated). The $109 room rate is outstanding for a location in the middle of the strip. AND THAT RATE IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL TOMORROW!
But back to Advisory Board Dinner at the VooDoo Steak House and Lounge.
The food is great (I’ve eaten there three times), the views from the top of the hotel are killer, and if your interested in “clubbing”, you’ve come to one of the best places in Las Vegas.
Here’s a video with views from the roof top VooDoo Lounge …
And if you want a fancy drink (just $30), try the Witch Doctor!
Job Opening: Leeds, UK – Recruiter – IT Operations/Technical Manager – Needs Root Cause Analysis Skills
February 1st, 2012 by Mark ParadiesStarted on another 5-Day TapRooT® Advanced Root Cause Analysis Tram Leader Course
February 1st, 2012 by Mark ParadiesThis one is in Aberdeen, Scotland. Here’s a picture of Harry Thorburn teaching on Monday …
28 Days Until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit
January 31st, 2012 by Mark Paradies
Ken Mattingly (Rear Admiral, USN, Retired)
What can you learn from someone who’s been on three space missions and saved the lives of three astronauts?
Come to the TapRooT® Summit and find out!
The Summit is just 28 days away but there is still time to register.
How Far Away is Death?
January 31st, 2012 by Mark Paradies
Weekly Wisdom for Root Cause Failure Analysis
January 31st, 2012 by BarbStatistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions. – Evan Esar
Job Opening: Phoenix, AZ – Kforce Professional Staffing – Wirebound Packaging Product Manager – Participates in Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Process
January 30th, 2012 by Mark Paradies29 Days Until the TapRooT® Summit – Cheap Thrills in Vegas
January 30th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesOn a budget for the Summit? This guys explains how to do things cheap!
What else is good about Vegas being “cheap”?
Cheap airline flights, hotel rates (just $109 at the Summit hotel, the Flamingo), breakfast provided all three days, lunch provided Wednesday and Thursday, and dinner provided on Wednesday. This could be the cheapest out of town meeting you ever attended.
And with the great information you will gain, that makes the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit a great value.
Two Job Opening at OXY for People with TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Skills
January 30th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesMonday Motivation: This is What Winners are Made Of
January 30th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesMonday Accident & Lessons Learned: Luck Saved Their Lives But Boat Was Unsinkable!
January 30th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesWhat does a boat look like after three years drifting at sea? Take a look below…
MSNBC reports that two men and a survival kit were knocked from the boat by a large wave.
One of the men was 68 and had gone through open heart surgery just a year before. He didn’t think he’d make it to shore ( a long swim in rough water). But then the survival kit, that included an inflatable life preserver, washed up beside him. He says it was a miracle.
The next miracle happened three years later. The boat, thought lost as sea, washed up on the coast of Spain.
What are the lessons learned from this accident?
1. Always wear a flotation device when in a small boat at sea.
2. Some boats are more seaworthy than others!
Career Development: Stay True To Yourself by “Captain George” A. Burk
January 30th, 2012 by Barb“Leadership is all about unlocking the potential in others.”
Carly Fiorna, Hewlett-Packard CEO
There are too many so called “leaders” who act and sound artificial, “phony” when they interact with their staff, friends and even customers. When you demonstrate, through thought, word and deed that you’re an authentic human being and leader who really cares about your employees and the organization, the chances are great that you’ll get your employees, friends, and yes, your family’s best efforts. Simply stated, you must walk the talk, not talk the talk. Here are a few tips:
Adhere to your core principles. In my 50 plus years experiences as a military officer, civilian employee, speaker, author, burn survivor and son, I’ve learned that’s the best and most effective way to lead. You must have credibility with your employees, family, friends, clients and your audience. The greatest people and leaders I’ve known said what they meant and meant what they said. They were unambiguous about their dreams, passions, goals and core principles. They were consistent in their beliefs and never wavered; they were trusted and trustworthy.
“Everyone inside him has a piece of good news … that you don’t know how great you can be (or) what you can accomplish.”
Anne Frank, diarist
Money, power and fame are a two-edged sword. They can ‘buy’ access to persons, places and things you might not otherwise have and enjoy. But, as with most things in life, they often come with a price. Money, power and fame can’t buy you health, happiness, integrity, peace, respect, true friends or authenticity. When you place most of your values in them, people are often thrust-off the foundation of the core values that helped them get to the ‘top.’ We’re born with free will and life is all about choices. Therefore, choose the right path—to remain true and authentic to you first, then others.
“High ethics and religious principles form the basis for success and happiness in every area of life.” John Templeton, investor
It starts at the top. When leaders are authentic, that often leads to trust. A Maritz Research poll in 2011 showed that just 7% of U.S. workers viewed leadership’s actions as consistent with their words. “We need our people to be engaged, trusted, leaders,” said Lynn Lieber, a San Francisco-based employment lawyer and legal advisor to compliance training advisor Workplace Answers. “You see companies like Apple where people had huge amounts of trust in their leaders.”
“Passionate leadership won’t succeed if contradictory signals are sent out.” Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder
Establish panels. Bill George former CEO of medical device maker Medtronic calls them True North Groups. They’re small groups of people who know each other well enough to offer objective and honest opinions. They act as a sounding board for each member. “The people trust each other and are willing to be open,” George said. His group helped him realize he had drifted away from his core values when he was in line to become CEO at Honeywell International.
“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after awhile he gets to know something.” Wilson Misner, playwright
Focus inward. George said leaders must be introspective about how they function and operate. He meditates twice a day. You can write a journal or talk to someone close to you. Or, do all three. Think about who you are…really; where you’re going; how you’ll get there; who’ll be on your team. The process you choose can give you time to reflect on how your core values affect the decisions you make,
“If you go, go, go all the time, you’re not real grounded” he said.
Demonstrate that you care. Employees, friends and family will see you and think of you as genuine if you prove by words and actions that you care about their well-being. Write thank you notes to your staff, friends and hosts. It’s probably the most important and well-received praise they can receive. Thank you notes are a lost art. We’ve become too reliant on technology. When you take the time to write a note, address it, seal it, put postage on it and deliver it to the Post Office that sends a subtle, but important message that you do care. Thank you notes are another way that you should do business. Teach it and demonstrate it in the home, it will transfer to the office.
“I don’t let my mouth say anything my head can’t stand.” Louis Armstrong, musician
Spread the wealth. Not only financial rewards but praise and credit when and where it’s due. Steve Jobs did it with his resignation from Apple’s CEO in August 2011.
Know your people. You can’t do this by sitting in your corner office and hiding (or the perception you’re hiding) from reality. Get out and walk around. This is a way to help you understand the issues your employees face and allows you to get to know them better. Creating an authentic workplace is a challenge if you sit in the corner office. CEO Howard Schulz walks in to his Starbucks stores unannounced to see how things are going. The TV program “Undercover Boss” has the same result. Sometimes you really need to get into the trenches with the people who do the ‘dirty work’ every day.
Create the rules. Establish a Code of Conduct that lists the core values and behaviors that are expected. Follow through with them and make certain no one, regardless of their position, is exempt. There may be some who will test the Code of Conduct and invent all sorts of excuses as to why they shouldn’t be held accountable. In my long career, I’ve heard them all! Their inventiveness is extraordinary; if only they’d put as much effort in trying to follow the Code of Conduct as they did trying to tap dance around it. Provide training on the Code that’s specific to you organization and talk about it when issues of conduct arise. That can also impress an outside agency if problems do occur. You show that you act in good faith, and that is reflected in everything you do. A Code of Conduct is also useful in personal situations. It’s not a sometimes thing or to use when needed thing; like breaking the glass when a fire breaks-out. To be effective, a Code of Conduct must be part of who you are and seamless from your personal life to the workplace. You can’t be a phony and a say you Code of Conduct. It just doesn’t work!
“Are you green and growing or ripe and rotting?” Ray Kroc, former McDonald’s CEO
Be honest and dependable. Take responsibility for yourself, your life and your job.
====================
This article was reprinted with permission from “Captain George” A. Burk, USAF (Ret). Visit his website for information about this keynote speaker, trainer and author: www.georgeburk.com
Pictures from the Public 5-Day TapRooT® Advanced Root Cause Analysis Team Leader Training in Johannesburg, South Africa
January 29th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesMore people ready to go back to work to solve problems.
To see the complete schedule of courses around the world, go to:
Job Opening: Can Be Located in Corinth, TX; Wichita, KS; Little Rock, AR; or Charleston, SC., USA – Labinal – Quality Engineer – Performs Root Cause Analysis
January 28th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesJob Opening: Painesville, OH – Professional Placement Services (Contract) – Quality Supervisor – Performs Root Cause Analysis
January 28th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesJob Opening: Houston – ConocoPhillips – Safety Specialist – Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis Experience Needed
January 28th, 2012 by Mark Paradies32 Days and Counting Until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit Being Held at the Center of the Las Vegas Strip
January 27th, 2012 by Mark Paradies
That’s a picture of the front of the hotel above and a map from Google Maps below (Hotel is marked with an A).
It’s a great place to hold the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit and we have great hotel rates ($109 per night).
Here’s what Mark and Barb have to say about the location …
Get more info at:
Summit Attendance Passes Old Record
January 27th, 2012 by Mark Paradies
With a month to go, sign-ups for the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit have passed the old record of 259.
What does that mean?
Great networking with some of the industries smartest safety, quality, and performance improvement professionals.
If you haven’r registered for the Summit, There’s still time. See:
http://www.taproot.com/summit.php
Rocket Barge Hits Bridge in Kentucky
January 27th, 2012 by Ken Reed
The Delta Mariner struck the Eggner Ferry Bridge in southwest Kentucky, knocking down 2 spans of the bridge. Motorists almost didn’t notice the missing spans as they came up to it in the dark.
Link
The barge is designed to carry Delta 4 and Atlas V rocket stages from the assembly plant in Decatur, Alabama. No word if there were any rocket components on board.
A later report indicates that the barge took the wrong channel. It apparently attempted to use the recreational channel (for small private boats), instead of using the main navigational channel.
Link
Friday Joke by Steve Jobs
January 27th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesSteve Jobs quoting Gil Amelio when Gil was in charge of Apple …
Countdown Continues – 33 Days Until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit – What Will Be Your Favorite Session?
January 26th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesOften people participating in the TapRooT® Summit THINK they know what will be their favorite session, but are surprised when one of the sessions they attend BLOWS THEIR SOCKS OFF.
For example, all of the Keynote Speakers (CLICK HERE to review them) have the potential to be the best talk at the Summit.
But there are some Best Practice Session presenters who also have the potential to be your favorite session. Here are just a few of the ones that I’m looking forward to …
Lori Reineke-Avant and Eric Cropp 
They will discuss their personal experience being prosecuted for an accident.
Linda Unger and Michele Lindsay 
One of the most highly praised sessions at past Summits has been the “TapRooT® Users Share Root Cause Best Practices” session facilitated by Linda and Michele.
Richard Mesker 
Richard gives interesting, interactive talks. What I’ve heard about his “Risk Management and Safety: Safety Third” session leads me to believe it will surprise you.
Dave Munro, Jade Washmon, Jim Thatcher and Pat Fortune (not pictured) will discuss what it takes to develop and maintain great investigators.
William Sirois from Circadian Technologies 
I always like Bill’s talks about fatigue and he has two at the Summit that you should consider attending. The first is about a new federal requirement for airlines – developing a fatigue risk management plan. These plans really should be implemented everywhere that fatigue could be an issue.
Second, is “Using FACT to Measure & Analyze Fatigue (Both Reactive and Proactive)”. If you’ve ever wondered how you can prove that fatigue was an issue in an accident, Bill has the answer and will share it at the Summit.
- – -
Well, I said I’d share a few … so I better stop now. And I haven’t even mentioned the talks I’ll be presenting!
Make sure you attend the Summit so that you can learn all the valuable information that will help you take performance at your facility to the next level.
See all the Summit sessions at:
TapRooT® Summit Trivia
January 26th, 2012 by Mark Paradies
The previous Summit with the most participants was held in Las Vegas.
What year was it held there?
How many people participated?
Leave you answers as a comment here.
The 2012 Global TapRoot® Summit is coming up shortly – February 27 – March 2.
Register now to help us beat the previous record attendance. See:
Time for Equifactor®? Maybe Past Time!
January 25th, 2012 by Mark Paradies
Here the text that came with the picture ,,, don’t know if it is true …
Here are some photos of what happens when bearings overheat
in the transmissions of these monster windmills.
To date no gear oil has been invented to withstand the pressures produced within these transmissions.
Most recently, the government gave Dow-Corning a big grant to work on it.
Previously, many others had tried and failed.
As they age there will be many more bearing failures.
Hard to believe that every wind turbine will fail due to inadequate gear lubrication.
I had heard that many wind turbines are not getting proper maintenance.
Wonder what Equifactor® has to say about this?
Interesting Article: “Tipping Point: Cruise Ships Set Sail Close to the Edge”
January 25th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesAre we building a fleet of “Titanics”?
Here’s an article in Risk and Insurance to read if you are interested…
Just 34 Days Until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit. What kind of people will be there?
January 25th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesWith just 34 days until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit, some people already planning on participating may be wondering …
What kind of people will I be networking with?
I like Wayne’s quote from the following video:
“… the most highly skilled safety professionals in industry.”
(.wmv format – click to play)
We aren’t quite ready to send out the attendance list (you will get it the first day of the Summit), but we do know the types of people that participated in previous Summits …
Sample list of companies:
- Alaska Airlines
- Alcoa
- Ameren
- Ashland
- Barrick
- Bayer
- Bell South
- Boart Longyear
- BUMED
- Cameco
- Champion Technologies
- Chevron
- Christus Health
- Ciba Vison
- CNSC
- Cogentrix
- ConocoPhillips
- Continental Airlines
- EnCana
- ENSCO
- EPA
- Exelon
- ExxonMobil
- FAA
- First Energy
- Flint Hills Refining
- Fluor
- GE
- General Dynamics
- Genetech
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
- Halliburton
- Hess
- Hydro One
- Integris Health
- Intel
- Irving Oil
- Jackson County Memorial Hospital
- KBR
- Marathon Oil
- MI-SWACO
- Military Healthcare System
- Monsanto
- MSHA
- Norsk Hydro
- Novartis
- NRC
- NTSB
- ORNL
- OSHA
- OXY
- PCS
- Petro-Canada
- Petrobras
- Pfizer
- Potash
- Pracxair
- Pratt & Whitney
- Qantus
- Rhom & Haas
- Rio Tinto
- Rust-Oleum
- Sandia National Labs
- Sasol
- Savanah River
- Southern California Edison
- Southwest Airlines
- Saudi Aramco
- Shell
- SKF
- Total
- TN OSHA
- TVA
- United Technologies
- Wakenhut
- Westar
- Willbros
What countries did they come from? Here’s a sample …
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Columbia
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- The Netherlands
- Trinidad
- UK
- USA
What type of job titles? Here’s a sample …
- Aviation Maintenance Manager
- Aviation Safety Manager
- Captain (maritime)
- COO
- Construction Safety Manager
- Corporate Counsel
- Director of HSE
- Director of Nuclear Safety and Licensing
- Doctor (MD)
- EHS Specialist
- Healthcare Quality Specialist
- Human Performance Specialist
- Industrial Health & Safety Manager
- Investigator
- Maintenance Manager
- Maintenance Technician
- Manager of Engineering
- Manager of Safety
- Mine Safety Manager
- Network Reliability Engineer
- Network Security Engineer
- Nuclear Safety Engineer
- Operations Manager
- Operator
- Patient Safety Manager
- Patient Safety Representative
- Process Safety Engineer
- Process Safety Manager
- QC Engineer
- Quality Auditor
- Quality Director
- Quality Engineer
- Refinery Safety Manager
- Reliability Engineer
- Risk Manager
- Safety Committee Representative
- Safety Manager
- Security Manager
- Tool Pusher
- Trending Technician
- Vice President, QSHE
- Vice President, Risk Management and Patient Safety
- Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment
This mixture of participants makes for great networking within industries/disciplines and across industries/disciplines.
Don’t miss this great chance to learn by networking with improvement professionals from around the world. If you have not registered already, register by going to:
Great Human Factors: Prescription Windscreens for Cars?
January 25th, 2012 by Chris ValleeIs the Human Factors Design at it’s best or worst?
However often would you need to change the windshield?
What if you wanted someone else to drive the car?
Should passengers be able to see out the windshield too?
Job Opening: Saint Helens, OR – Kelly (Contract) – Mechanical Engineer – Needs Root Cause Analysis Skills
January 25th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesJob Opening: Canada – Brigus Gold – Maintenance Manager/Superintendent – Will Participate in Incident Investigations and Root Cause Analysis
January 25th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesRoot Cause Analysis Tips – It all starts with a good SnapCharT®
January 25th, 2012 by Dave JanneyIt is almost here – the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit.
As you have probably heard, on the two days before the summit we have special pre-summit courses we only teach publicly at the summit (we can do any of them onsite). The course I teach is called the Advanced TapRooT® techniques course. In this course we cover best practices for each of the steps of our seven step process. A big focus of the course is identifying causal factors, and I will give you some insight into some of that in the root cause tips on February 15. Today I wanted to talk about something from the course that is extremely important. Take a look at this analogy: 
Have you ever wondered why sometimes you do an investigation, things get better, but there are still some of the same problems present – maybe they are not as frequent or serious, but they still occur. Why is that? A great deal of the time, I would say because you found some of the causal factors and their root causes, but you may have missed one. In order to make sure problems do not reoccur, you have to find ALL of the causal factors, and therefore, all of the root causes. And it all starts with a good SnapCharT®. You see, it is much easier to find the causal factors if your chart is very clear, is not missing important details, and is well worded. Most of the time you spend in your investigation should be on this front end of the process – the investment in collecting good information and assembling it on your chart will make finding the causal factors easier, and taking them through the Root Cause Tree® faster.
Hopefully this discussion helps. If you want to hear more, consider joining us in Las Vegas for the course. And stay for the summit.
Thanks for visiting the blog and happy investigating.
2012 Global TapRooT® Summit: Shows at the Flamingo Hotel
January 25th, 2012 by Megan CraigDon’t have time to go out at night and see a fun Vegas show during our 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit? Don’t worry; we’re staying at the Flamingo Hotel, which offers you fun, music, and a whole lot of laughs without having to leave the building! Take a look at these shows and their descriptions, all located at the Flamingo Las Vegas!
DIRK ARTHUR
O’Sheas Theatre
Price $22.95, $33.95
7:30 PM
Dirk Arthur’s high-energy Wild Magic show combines comedy, dance, magic, and large uncaged exotic cats at 10-40 feet away.
DONNY & MARIE IN LAS VEGAS AT THE FLAMINGO
The Flamingo Showroom
Price $260; $125; $109; $95 (plus taxes and fees)
7:30 PM
Donny and Marie Osmond rock this 90-minute show with their greatest hits and a multimedia production.
GEORGE WALLACE LIVE AT THE FLAMINGO LAS VEGAS
The Flamingo Showroom
Price $49.95 plus tax & fees
10:00 PM
Wallace is the winner out of 150 competitors of the stand-up comedy TV special “The Big Laugh-Off,” reading audiences like a book and cracking them up with his humor drawn from everyday life.
NATHAN BURTON
The Flamingo Showroom
Price $34.00 General Admission, $44.00 VIP + taxes/fees
4:00 PM
Relax after the Summit on Friday afternoon with Burton’s fast-paced comedy and magic show.
VINNIE FAVORITO
Bugsy’s Cabaret
Price $54.95 + tax/fees; VIP seating: $64.95 + tax/fees
8:00 PM
Vinnie Favorito is an infamous “roaster”with no pre-planned skits or notes. He wins audiences over with his off-the-cuff quips and hilarious digs on his audience members.
“…your jaw aches from laughter…your side hurts…devastatingly funny!” Jerry Fink, Las Vegas Sun
“Rickles with venom” Milton Berle Best Comedian in Las Vegas – Guest Pick, Las Vegas Review Journal
Photos courtesy of Flamingo Las Vegas.
PowerPoint of Pictures of the Costa Concordia
January 24th, 2012 by Mark Paradies
Click on the .ppt file below to download.
35 Days Until the 2012 Global TapRooT® Summit! Here’s Info About the Reception…
January 24th, 2012 by Mark ParadiesThe Wednesday Night Summit Reception will be on the second and third floors of Margaritaville at the Flamingo.
(2nd Floor)
(3rd Floor overlooking the strip)
Judy, one of the planners of this event, gives her recommendation in this You Tube video…
Get more Summit info at:
http://www.taproot.com/summit.php
It will start just after the last Keynote speaker on Wednesday. If you would like, you can bring your spouse or significant other.
