Mixed Deck — All RCA Topics Flashcards

Which RCA technique is particularly useful when causes are interrelated and cannot be explained by a single linear chain?

Answer: Causal Loop Diagram

Causal Loop Diagrams model complex systems where causes and effects form feedback loops, making them ideal for interrelated systemic problems.

What is Root Cause Analysis?

Answer: A technique used to determine why a problem occurred in the first place

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a systematic process for identifying the fundamental reasons for the occurrence of a problem or undesirable event. Its primary goal is to go beyond the immediate symptoms to discover the underlying causes, so that effective corrective actions can be implemented to prevent recurrence.

What is a 'poka-yoke' device used for in RCA prevention strategies?

Answer: Making errors physically impossible or immediately detectable

Poka-yoke (mistake-proofing) devices are design features that make it impossible or very difficult for errors to occur, removing reliance on human vigilance.

What is a 'corrective action review board' (CARB) in the context of organizational RCA management?

Answer: An internal governance body that reviews, approves, and tracks corrective actions from RCA investigations

A CARB is an internal management forum that provides oversight of corrective actions, ensuring they are appropriate, adequately resourced, and completed on time.

What is a 'corrective action closure criterion' in RCA?

Answer: A pre-defined measurable standard that must be met before a corrective action is officially considered complete

Closure criteria define specific, measurable evidence (such as zero recurrences over 30 days) that must be demonstrated before a corrective action is formally closed.

What is the primary purpose of an RCA report?

Answer: To document the investigation findings, root cause, and corrective actions for organizational learning and accountability

An RCA report communicates what was found, why the problem occurred, and what actions will prevent recurrence, serving both organizational learning and accountability.

What does a 'gap analysis' in RCA compare?

Answer: Actual performance against expected or required performance standards

Gap analysis identifies the difference between how a process is actually performing and how it is supposed to perform, highlighting areas for RCA focus.

In the Failure mode and effects analysis method (FMEA), how Risk Priority Number (RPN) is calculated?

Answer: By multiplication of Severity, Occurrence and Detection

In Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), the Risk Priority Number (RPN) is calculated by multiplying three factors: Severity (S), Occurrence (O), and Detection (D). Severity rates the seriousness of the effect of a failure, Occurrence rates the likelihood of the failure happening, and Detection rates the likelihood of detecting the failure before it reaches the customer. A higher RPN indicates a higher risk.

What is the purpose of an 'RCA metric' such as 'percentage of corrective actions completed on time'?

Answer: To measure the effectiveness and accountability of the overall RCA program

Tracking corrective action completion rates measures whether the RCA program is driving actual change, not just producing reports that sit unimplemented.

In RCA, what is a 'barrier analysis' primarily used to investigate?

Answer: Why safety controls or defenses failed to prevent an incident

Barrier analysis identifies which protective barriers (controls, safeguards) were supposed to prevent an incident and why they failed to do so.

Which element is essential for a preventive action plan to be actionable and accountable?

Answer: Assigned ownership and a target completion date

Assigning a responsible owner and a specific target date ensures accountability and measurable progress toward completing each preventive action.

When ranking preventive actions, which criterion is MOST important to consider first?

Answer: Effectiveness in addressing the root cause

Effectiveness in actually addressing the root cause is the primary criterion because a cheap, easy action that doesn't fix the root cause provides little value.

Why is it important to write RCA reports using 'plain language' rather than technical jargon when sharing with non-technical stakeholders?

Answer: It ensures all readers can understand the findings and support corrective actions

Plain language ensures that executives, customers, or regulators without technical backgrounds can understand the findings and the actions needed to prevent recurrence.

In RCA team management, what does 'groupthink' risk causing?

Answer: Team members conforming to the dominant view rather than challenging assumptions, leading to missed root causes

Groupthink causes team members to suppress dissenting views to maintain consensus, which can prevent the team from identifying the true root cause if it challenges the group's initial assumption.

Which section of an RCA report describes the immediate actions taken to stop ongoing harm?

Answer: Containment Actions

The Containment Actions section documents the short-term measures taken to prevent further damage while the root cause investigation was ongoing.

What is the primary goal of RCA?

Answer: Identify true ROOT CAUSE of any problem

The primary goal of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is to identify the fundamental, underlying cause (or causes) of a problem, rather than just addressing its symptoms. By uncovering the true root cause, organizations can implement effective, long-term solutions that prevent the problem from recurring, leading to sustainable improvements.

Impact Analysis helps explore possible positive and negative consequences of a change on different parts of a system or organization.

Answer: True

Impact Analysis is indeed a technique used to explore and understand the potential positive and negative consequences of a proposed change. It assesses how a change might affect various parts of a system, organization, or stakeholders, helping to anticipate risks, benefits, and necessary adjustments.

What is the most important first step in any Root Cause Analysis?

Answer: Clearly defining and scoping the problem

A clearly defined problem statement establishes the boundaries of the investigation and ensures the team focuses on the correct issue.

What does the Drill Down tool do?

Answer: Break down a problem into small, detailed parts to be better understand the big picture.

The 'Drill Down' tool in analysis is used to progressively break down a high-level problem or data point into more granular, detailed components. This allows for a deeper investigation into specific areas, helping to uncover underlying issues and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the overall problem.

In RCA team dynamics, what is the value of including a 'devil's advocate' role during cause analysis?

Answer: To intentionally challenge the team's assumptions and prevent premature agreement on a cause

A devil's advocate deliberately challenges the team's working hypothesis to test its strength and ensure alternative causes have been properly considered before the team commits to a conclusion.