ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

Root cause analysis (RCA) refers to a variety of problem-solving methods that attempt to identify and correct a problem's root causes. It assumes that the best way to solve problems is by eliminating their root causes. It also works under the belief that addressing obvious symptoms only serves as a short-term solution and does not prevent the problem from happening again... Root cause analysis has been applied across industry sectors and disciplines. Safety engineers have used it to conduct accident analysis; production and maintenance engineers have used it to investigate failures in manufacturing. RCA has also emerged within change management, risk management, systems analysis, and other areas of business.