This best-seller can help anyone whose role is to try to find specific causes for failures. It provides detailed steps for solving problems, focusing more heavily on the analytical process involved in finding the actual causes of problems. It does this using figures, diagrams, and tools useful for helping to make our thinking visible. This increases our ability to see what is truly significant and to better identify errors in our thinking. In the sections on finding root causes, this second edition now includes: more examples on the use of multi-vari charts; how thought experiments can help guide data interpretation; how to enhance the value of the data collection process; cautions for analyzing data; and what to do if one can’t find the causes. In its guidance on solution identification, biomimicry and TRIZ have been added as potential solution identification techniques. In addition, the appendices have been revised to include: an expanded breakdown of the 7 M’s, which includes more than 50 specific possible causes; forms for tracking causes and solutions, which can help maintain alignment of actions; techniques for how to enhance the interview process; and example responses to problem situations that the reader can analyze for appropriateness.

This updated and expanded edition discusses many different tools for root cause analysis and presents them in an easy-to-follow structure: a general description of the tool, its purpose and typical applications, the procedure when using it, an example of its use, a checklist to help you make sure if is applied properly, and different forms and templates (that can also be found on an accompanying CD-ROM). The examples used are general enough to apply to any industry or market. The layout of the book has been designed to help speed your learning. Throughout, the authors have split the pages into two halves: the top half presents key concepts using brief language—almost keywords—and the bottom half uses examples to help explain those concepts. A roadmap in the margin of every page simplifies navigating the book and searching for specific topics. The book is suited for employees and managers at any organizational level in any type of industry, including service, manufacturing, and the public sector.

All organizations experience unintended variation and its consequences. Such problems exist within a broad range of scope, persistence, and severity across different industries. Some problems cause minor nuisances, others leads to loss of customers or money, others yet can be a matter of life and death. The purpose of this pocket guide is to provide you with easily accessible knowledge about the art of problem solving, with a specific focus on identifying and eliminating root causes of problems. Root cause analysis is a skill that absolutely everybody should master, irrespective of which sector you work in, what educational background you have, and which position in the organization you hold. The content in this little pocket guide can contribute to disseminating this skill a little further in the world.

This pocket guide is designed to be a quick, on-the-job reference for anyone interested in making their workplace more effective and efficient. It will provide a solid initial overview of what “quality” is and how it could impact you and your organization. Use it to compare how you and your organization are doing things, and to see whether what’s described in the guide might be useful. The tools of quality described herein are universal. People across the world need to find better, more effective ways to improve the creation and performance of products and services. Since organizational and process improvement is increasingly integrated into all areas of an organization, everyone must understand the basic principles of process control and process improvement. This succinct and concentrated guide can help. Unlike any other pocket guide on the market, included throughout are direct links to numerous free online resources that not only go deeper but also to show these concepts and tools in action: case studies, articles, webcasts, templates, tutorials, examples from the ASQ Service Division’s Service Quality Body of Knowledge (SQBOK), and much more. This pocket guide serves as a gateway into the wealth of peerless content that ASQ offers.

Healthcare organizations and professionals have long needed a straightforward workbook to facilitate the process of root cause analysis (RCA). While other industries employ the RCA tools liberally and train facilitators thoroughly, healthcare has lagged in establishing and resourcing a quality culture. Presently, a growing number of third-party stakeholders are holding access to accreditation and reimbursement pending demonstration of a full response to events outside of expected practice. An increasing number of exceptions to healthcare practice have precipitated a strong response advocating the use of proven quality tools in the industry. In addition, the industry has now expanded its scope beyond the hospital walls to many ancillary healthcare facilities with little experience in implementing quality tools. This book responds to the demand for a RCA workbook written specifically for healthcare, yet still broad in its definition of the industry. This book contains everything that the typical RCA leader in healthcare requires: A text specific to healthcare, but using the broadest definition of the industry to include not only acute care hospitals, but rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, outpatient surgery centers, ambulatory services, and general office practices. A workbook-style format that walks through the process, step-by-step. Straightforward text without “sidebars,” “tables,” and “tips.” Worksheets are provided at the end of the book to reduce reader distraction within the text. A wide range of real-world examples. Format for use by the most naive of users and most basic of processes, as well as a separate section for more advanced users or more complex issues. Templates, both print and electronic, included for the reader’s use. Ready-to-use educational materials with scripting to enable the user to train others and garner support for the use of the techniques. Background text for users in leadership to understand the tools in the larger context of healthcare improvement. Up-to-date information on the latest in the use of RCA in satisfying mandatory reporting requirements and slaying the myth that the process is onerous and fraught with barriers. Background text and tools/process are separated to facilitate the readers’ specific needs. Healthcare leaders can appreciate the current context and requirements without wading through the actual techniques; end-users can begin learning the skills without wading through dense administrative text. Language and tone promoting the use of the tools for improvement of processes that have experienced exceptions, as opposed to assigning blame for errors. Attention to process ownership, training, and resourcing. And, most importantly, thorough description of the improvement process as well as the analysis.

Are you trying to improve performance, but find that the same problems keep getting in the way? Safety, health, environmental quality, reliability, production, and security are at stake. You need the long-term planning that will keep the same issues from recurring. Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Effective Incident Investigation is a powerful tool that gives you a detailed step-by-step process for learning from experience. Reach for this handbook any time you need field-tested advice for investigating, categorizing, reporting and trending, and ultimately eliminating the root causes of incidents. It includes step-by-step instructions, checklists, and forms for performing an analysis and enables users to effectively incorporate the methodology and apply it to a variety of situations. Using the structured techniques in the Root Cause Analysis Handbook, you will: Understand why root causes are important. Identify and define inherent problems. Collect data for problem-solving. Analyze data for root causes. Generate practical recommendations. The third edition of this global classic is the most comprehensive, all-in-one package of book, downloadable resources, color-coded RCA map, and licensed access to online resources currently available for Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Called by users "the best resource on the subject" and "in a league of its own." Based on globally successful, proprietary methodology developed by ABS Consulting, an international firm with 50 years' experience in 35 countries. Root Cause Analysis Handbook is widely used in corporate training programs and college courses all over the world. If you are responsible for quality, reliability, safety, and/or risk management, you'll want this comprehensive and practical resource at your fingertips. The book has also been selected by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Risk and Insurance Society (RIMS) as a "must have" for their members.

Although there are many books on root cause analysis (RCA), most concentrate on team actions such as brainstorming and using quality tools to discuss the failure under investigation. These may be necessary steps during RCA, but authors often fail to mention the most important member of an RCA team the failed part.Root Cause Analysis: A Step-By-Step