Six Step Process

Create causal map. As you identify each event, insert each event into a causal map and use your causal map to identify how events are causally or temporally related and sequenced to determine which events directly and indirectly caused the problem. If A causes B, draw an arrow that points from A to B (e.g., A--->B). If B causes C, then create B-->C. The result is the causal map A-->B-->C.Validate causal map. Collect, evaluate, and debate over empirical data and/or research findings to establish the presence (controlled experiments), relative strength (e.g., regression analysis, effect size, structural equation models, path analysis), probability, and direction (positive or inverse relationship) of the relationships between the events in your causal map to justify and validate the causal map.

Identify root causes in order to avoid producing ineffective solutions that waste valuable time and resources. Identify root causes by looking for events in your causal map that have no arrows pointing into the event and has only arrows pointing outward from the event (as in event A). Addressing root causes enables one to treat not the symptoms of a problem (e.g., event B and C) but treat the root cause of a problem.

Identify most and least critical events by rank ordering the events from most to least number of outward pointing arrows. Events with the greatest number of outward pointing arrows can be viewed as events that exert the greatest impact on the overall system and severity of the problem.

Develop and rank order solutions to address and/or resolve the events that are identified as root causes and are positioned the highest in the list of events rank ordered by overall impact. If it is determined that the root cause(s) is not a contributing factor to the problem, consider the next set of events closest in proximity to the root causes in your causal map.