Root cause analysis is a structured investigation used to identify why a problem occurred and which controllable conditions allowed it. The purpose is to prevent recurrence, not assign blame.
How the control works
Use evidence from the process, records, materials and affected goods. Test the proposed cause against what happened and against unaffected production.
| Area | What the record should show |
|---|---|
| Control | Use evidence from the process, records, materials and affected goods. Test the proposed cause against what happened and against unaffected production. |
| Evidence | Retain the problem definition, timeline, evidence, method, tested causes, conclusion, corrective action and verification. |
| Tradeoff | Operator error is usually an incomplete conclusion. The analysis should explain why the system allowed the error to reach the product or customer. |
Evidence buyers should retain
Retain the problem definition, timeline, evidence, method, tested causes, conclusion, corrective action and verification.
Where the term is misused
Operator error is usually an incomplete conclusion. The analysis should explain why the system allowed the error to reach the product or customer.
Related definitions: supplier qualification, strategic sourcing, landed cost.
