Root Cause Analysis

Definition

Root Cause Analysis identifies the underlying, originating cause of a problem rather than just its symptoms. Common techniques include the "5 Whys" (repeatedly asking why a problem occurs until the true cause is reached) and the Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram, which organizes potential causes into categories such as people, process, technology, and environment.

Inputs

• A clearly defined problem statement or observed symptom
• Access to people, data, or process knowledge needed to trace the issue backward

Outputs

• One or more identified root causes, distinct from surface-level symptoms
• A visual or structured artifact (fishbone diagram, why-tree) documenting the causal chain

When to Use

• A recurring problem keeps appearing despite repeated fixes to symptoms
• Before defining a solution, to ensure the right problem is being solved
• Post-incident or retrospective analysis, to prevent recurrence rather than just patch the immediate issue

When Not to Use

• The cause is already obvious and well-understood — formal analysis adds ceremony without value
• Time-critical situations requiring an immediate workaround before deeper analysis is feasible