Root Cause Analysis Flashcards
7 cards from real CQIA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Root Cause Analysis flashcards as text
Which quality tool would BEST help a team visualize the sequence of steps in a process to identify where a defect-causing error could occur?
Answer: Flowchart/process map
A flowchart maps each process step and decision point, making it easy to identify where errors can be introduced.
A team completes a root cause analysis and identifies the root cause as 'lack of defined standards.' The most appropriate corrective action is to:
Answer: Create and implement documented standards and verify employee understanding
Creating documented standards directly addresses the root cause of undefined expectations and provides a sustainable process control.
In root cause analysis, 'error proofing' (poka-yoke) is considered effective because it:
Answer: Makes it physically impossible or immediately obvious when an error occurs
Poka-yoke devices prevent errors at the source or detect them instantly, eliminating the reliance on human attention to avoid mistakes.
What does 'recurrence prevention' mean in the context of corrective action?
Answer: Taking action at the root cause level so the specific problem cannot happen again
Recurrence prevention means fixing the root cause so the identical failure mode cannot repeat, not just monitoring for its return.
Which of the following situations would MOST warrant using a formal root cause analysis process?
Answer: A recurring customer complaint that has not been resolved despite multiple attempts
Recurring problems that resist resolution despite previous attempts are the strongest candidates for formal RCA, since superficial fixes have clearly failed.
A team is evaluating potential corrective actions and rates each option on effectiveness, feasibility, and cost. This approach is an example of:
Answer: A prioritization matrix (decision matrix)
A prioritization (decision) matrix evaluates and scores options against weighted criteria to guide the selection of the best corrective action.
After implementing a corrective action, which activity confirms that the root cause has truly been eliminated?
Answer: Monitoring the process over time with data collection to verify that the problem does not recur
Only sustained data collection and monitoring over time can confirm that the corrective action eliminated the root cause and prevented recurrence.