April 29, 2020 | Mark Paradies

Fastest Root Cause Analysis

Fastest Root Cause Analysis
[Jump to Conclusions]

People know that TapRooT® RCA is the best root cause analysis but they often ask, “What is the fastest root cause analysis?”

That’s an easy question to answer! Just jump to conclusions.

We all know that’s a mistake, but the desire for fast answers can make jumping to conclusions (the fastest root cause analysis) seem like a great answer.

Example of How Jumping to Conclusions Can Hurt

A refinery had an explosion that killed folks. Senior management in the company got preliminary information from the team investigating the incident. The supervisor had left the site and the operators weren’t following the procedures.

What did they do? Senior management jumped to conclusions. They fired the operators and the supervisor.

Later it was found that there were significant management system problems and budget-cutting that contributed to the accident. Did they jump to conclusions and fire the managers responsible? I think you know the answer.

How does the example above “hurt?”

First, there was the lawsuit by the operators and supervisor.

Second, it caused problems with the union.

Third, the press coverage made management look clueless when more information came out.

Fourth, it can hurt the investigation. It turns out that one of the fired operators was a key witness to what happened. After he was fired, all subsequent interviews were conducted with an attorney and a union rep. Do you think this impacted the free flow of information in the interviews?

Take the Time to Find the Answers

We all like fast answers but we want them to be the right answers. That’s why we advise our clients to take the time they need to find root causes.

If it is a simple investigation, we have a simple process that can be cut off when there is nothing more to learn.

Process

Copyright © System Improvements, Inc. Used by Permission.

If it is a major investigation, we have the 7-Step Major Investigation Process to provide the investigator with all the tools (and expert guidance) that they need.

7-Step-Process

Copyright © System Improvements, Inc. Used by Permission.

 

Want to find out more about the TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Processes? The best way is to attend one of our root cause analysis courses.

The fastest course is our 2-Day TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Training. It teaches the essential TapRooT® Techniques and the Simple Process shown above.

The 5-Day TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Team Leader Training teaches the essential techniques and the optional techniques and both the simple process and the process for investigating major accidents.

And if your root cause analysis is focussed mainly on equipment failures, you should probably attend the 2-Day Equifactor® Equipment Troubleshooting and TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Training.

When and where are these courses available? Check THIS LINK.

Fast Usually Isn’t Best

Remember, you can always find a faster root cause system … But you need the right answers to improve performance and prevent accidents.

fastest root cause analysis

Don’t jump to conclusions or use a simple process that leads to an incomplete and often erroneous answer. Choose to use the proven TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis System. If you want more information about the fundamentals of root cause analysis, CLICK HERE. And find out more about the history of TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis, CLICK HERE.

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Investigations, Root Cause Analysis Tips
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