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1
What is a root cause?
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2
Why is root cause analysis important?
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3
How do you conduct root cause analysis?
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Here’s what else to consider
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Risks are uncertain events or conditions that can have positive or negative effects on a project, program, or portfolio. Identifying the root causes of risks is a critical step in risk management, as it helps to understand the underlying factors that trigger or influence the occurrence and impact of risks. In this article, you will learn some of the most common and effective techniques to identify the root causes of risks and how to apply them in your risk management process.
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1 What is a root cause?
A root cause is the most basic or fundamental reason that explains why a risk exists or may occur. It is not the same as a risk source, which is the origin or driver of a risk, such as a stakeholder, a process, a resource, or an environment. A root cause is more specific and detailed, and it reveals the core problem or issue that needs to be addressed or resolved to prevent or mitigate the risk. For example, if the risk source is a supplier, the root cause could be a lack of quality control, a contractual dispute, a communication breakdown, or a delivery delay.
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2 Why is root cause analysis important?
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a process of identifying and analyzing the root causes of risks, using various methods and tools. It is important to conduct RCA in order to improve the accuracy and completeness of risk identification, as well as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of risk response. Furthermore, RCA provides a great opportunity for learning and improvement, by capturing and sharing the lessons learned from the root cause analysis, which can be applied to future projects or other areas of the organization.
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3 How do you conduct root cause analysis?
There are many techniques and tools that can help you conduct root cause analysis, depending on the nature, complexity, and scope of the risk and the project, program, or portfolio. For example, The 5 Whys is a simple and intuitive technique that involves asking "why" repeatedly until you reach the root cause. The Fishbone Diagram is a visual technique that uses a diagram resembling a fishbone to organize and categorize root causes into different areas. The Fault Tree Analysis is a logical technique that uses symbols to show the relationship between the risk and its root causes. All of these methods can assist in identifying and quantifying root causes, as well as prioritizing and optimizing risk response strategies.
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4 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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