Abstract

A common challenge quality department staff face involves root cause analysis (RCA). While tried-and-true techniques to conduct RCA—such as five whys or fishbone diagrams—are effective, there are limitations. Seasoned practitioners tend to identify root causes quicker than inexperienced workers, even when using the same tools. All experienced practitioners know there are some critical situations that facilitate the appearance of defects, even if this knowledge is not formally documented. The proposed flowchart standardizes the unwritten rules that ensure successful RCA.