ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
Who benefits from a root cause analsysis?
Companies that have realised they have a problem, but are not sure if training is the solution they need.
If your organization grapples with challenges like high employee turnover, missed performance targets, lack of engagement, or resistance to change, you might instinctively turn to training as a solution. Traditionally viewed as a quick fix, training aims to address a business opportunity, challenge or problem by bridging the gap between actual and expected performance. However, feedback often reveals that conventional training falls short of solving their problems, squandering both company resources and employee time.
Therefore, a strategic approach involves starting with a meticulous root cause analysis. Recognize that training isn't a universal remedy; a deeper understanding of the problem may unveil more cost-efficient, prompt, and impactful solutions.
Why start with a Root Cause Analysis?
To avoid spending valuable company resources on ineffective solutions.
Training constitutes a significant investment for businesses in terms of time and cost. Yet, before committing to this substantial expense, organizations often neglect to thoroughly explore the underlying issues. Frequently defaulting to training as a solution without adequate consideration is a common pitfall. The challenge lies in the fact that training is frequently isolated, addressing a singular symptom within a broader business dilemma.
A comprehensive analysis, however, offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative, saving the company time, money, and the frustration stemming from ineffective training. Opt for the smarter path – begin with a root cause analysis for sustainable and impactful solutions.
How a root cause analysis will be done
A business objective statement will help your company clearly define the specific and measurable results it wants to aim to achieve within a set timeframe. I will collaborate with you to form this objective statement as we thoroughly investigate the problem. The process involves asking the right questions and seeking their answers. I like to take guidance from Cathy Moore’s outline for setting the initial business statement:
A measure we already use will increase/ decrease number % by date as people in a specific group DO something.
Roor cause analysis is an iterative and dynamic process, rather than a linear one.
Evaluating the gap between the current state and the desired outcome, along with the time available, will indicate the urgency of our actions and determine the suitable solutions. As we explore pertinent questions and gather more information, we will progressively define a clearer, achievable, and time-bound goal.
Insufficient or poor-quality data is one of the challenges to identifying root causes. However, there are often ways around this.
We will identify the specific problem area within the company. This issue may not necessarily be confined to a physical department; it could extend to aspects such as work culture or attitudes.
Keep in mind that problem-solving is a creative skill, and creativity does not follow a strict methodology. Some amount of chaos and discomfort is to be anticipated. The problem discovery process might lead you to unexpected places. That’s why it’s referred to as a ‘discovery’ process.
We will trace our way to the root of the problem by following the symptoms. We will know that we have reached the root cause when we are unable to go any further and we can see that all the symptoms stem from this cause.
Identification of the root causes informs the refinement of the problem definition. Defining the problem precisely is the first stage of solving it. By the end of the root cause analysis, we should have stated the problem in all its nuances with accuracy. This deeper understanding of the underlying issues helps solutions become clearer.
“A problem well stated is half solved”- Charles Kettering
Recommended solution
I will recommend effective strategies to achieve these goals. Remember, traditional training may not always be the best solution. The nature of the underlying issues, the problem area(s), time constraints, resources available, all determine what the best solutions might be. And traditional eLearning modules are not always the best solutions.