Root cause analysis is a process that loves to have people ask questions like: why did that exist, why did that occur, why was that done, why why why why why. I think it's time to stop using the word why. It's played out, over with and done for. It has too many negative connotations and it promotes sloppy thinking.
Replace why with what, where, when and how. These will get you to a better place as an analyst because they force you to dig into details with more energy. They will also improve every model or diagram or chart you make: replace unsupported things that just sort of affect each other with solid facts describing what factors were present, where they were, when they were there and how they did what they did.
Adults ask what, where, when and how. Kids ask why. Ditch it (the word not the kid).
You are moving in a good direction.
ReplyDeleteReplace "why?" with:
What are the conditions, behaviors, actions, and inactions that directly resulted in the effect exactly as it turned out?
Exactly as it turned out includes its nature, its magnitude, its location, and its timing along with any other attributes that are important.