Root Cause Analysis

(RCA)

Subhakar Rao Surapaneni

What is RCA?

Root Cause Analysis is a structured step-by-step

technique that drills on any problem to extract its real

cause. It is a widely employed technique in corporate

houses to find the exact cause of any loophole in their

process.

• It ascertain and analyze the causes of problems

and chart out solutions to prevent problems from

further occurrence.

• It is a process to help stakeholders to

understand the causes of a problem well enough

to achieve permanent solution of that problem.

THE PROCESS

A root cause is one of the

most basic, or many causes

underlying a redundant

problem.

Basically, RCA involve the following steps:

• What Happened?

• Why it happened?

• What it can be done to prevent re-occurrence of the problem?

RCA attempts to treat the real

cause/causes of a problem, rather

than just dealing with the symptoms

of a problem.

Define the Problem

Find the Cause of

the problem

Chart Solution for the problem

5 WHY

Supplier Name Part Number DUNs/Location Product/Process Name Date of Occurrence

Problem Definition:

(who,what, when where and

how)

3 Legged 5 Why

Why:

Why:

Why:(The root cause of non conformance)

Why:

Wh

y p

rob

lem

wa

s n

ot

de

tec

ted

?

Corrective Actions / Owner / Target Date

Why:

Problem Description:

Explain why the problem occurred:

Ho

w p

rob

lem

wa

s c

rea

ted

Picture of Current State

Describe the Lessons

Learned for this problem:

(the lessons learned should

be easily understood and

stated clearly for the other

locations to be able to read,

understand, and apply)

Wh

at

is t

he

Sy

ste

mic

ro

ot

ca

us

e?

Why:

Problem Description:

Supplier contact names: List the name of the core team members (name and

title):

Why:

Why:

Explain the Systemic root cause:

Problem Description:

Explain why the problem was not detected:

Why:

Why:

Why:

Why:

Intermediate Containment: please list Owner and Target Date:

Final Permanent Corrective Action:please list Owner and Target Date:

Intermediate Containment: please list Owner and Target Date:

Final Permanent Corrective Action:please list Owner and Target Date:

Click Below to Download

a sample 5 why template.

One of the most employed problem – solving technique in RCA to

find the main cause of any problem. The technique focused on the

cause – effect relationship in case of a problem or a process failure.

In the below example, you will discover how 5 why can be used in

detecting the root cause of a problem:

Benefits of RCA

RCA helps in process improvements for

organizations, chart out lasting improvements

and most importantly, create a roadmap to follow

for thorough understandings of relationships,

causes and effect and solutions.

By practicing RCA, you eliminate taking actions

on redundant symptoms, and help you to work

on actual root cause of problem thus bringing

lasting solutions to an organization.

You establish solid step-by-step procedure with

process mapping for your process that improves

your overall organizational efficiency.

1

2

3

Limitations of RCA

RCA presupposes a single source of the

problem. The model assume linearity and the

existence of cause and effect relationship for

problem solving. However, in the real corporate

world – things are not as simple and

straightforward. Business processes are

complex systems involving people, process and

technology. Correspondingly, many problems

are non-linear involving many known and

unknown components. In such scenarios, other

business problem solving tools need to be

considered.

.

Thank You!