Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

1. Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Identify problems and their underlying causes using RCA techniques.
• Apply various RCA tools and methodologies.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurrence.
• Improve decision-making and problem-solving skills in their organizations.
• Implement RCA in real-world scenarios for continuous improvement.

2. Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define Root Cause Analysis and its importance in problem-solving.
2. Recognize different types of root causes (human, process, systemic).
3. Utilize common RCA tools (5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, Fault Tree Analysis, etc.).
4. Conduct a structured RCA investigation.
5. Develop and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
6. Monitor and measure the effectiveness of RCA interventions.
7. Foster a culture of continuous improvement in their organization.

3. Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to RCA

• What is Root Cause Analysis?
• Importance and benefits of RCA
• RCA vs. Problem-Solving vs. Troubleshooting
• RCA in various industries (Manufacturing, Healthcare, IT, etc.)

Module 2: Understanding Problems and Causes

• Types of root causes: Physical, Human, and Systemic
• Common mistakes in problem identification
• The difference between symptoms and root causes

Module 3: RCA Tools & Techniques

• The 5 Whys Technique – Step-by-step application
• Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagram – Identifying potential causes
• Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) – Understanding logical relationships
• Pareto Analysis – Prioritizing issues
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) – Risk assessment in RCA

Module 4: Conducting an RCA Investigation

• Establishing an RCA team
• Data collection techniques (interviews, observations, reports)
• Developing problem statements
• RCA report writing and documentation

Module 5: Implementing Solutions & Preventive Actions

• Developing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Evaluating solution effectiveness
• Ensuring long-term implementation and sustainability
• Case studies and real-world applications

Module 6: RCA Best Practices & Continuous Improvement

• Embedding RCA into organizational culture
• Common RCA pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Using RCA for process improvement and risk management
• Continuous monitoring and feedback loops

4. Training Methodology

To ensure a practical and engaging learning experience, the training will utilize:

✅ Instructor-led presentations – Explaining RCA concepts and tools.
✅ Interactive discussions – Encouraging knowledge-sharing and real-life application.
✅ Case studies & real-world examples – Demonstrating RCA in action.
✅ Hands-on exercises & group activities – Practicing RCA tools on sample problems.
✅ Role-playing & simulations – Engaging participants in real-time problem-solving.
✅ Assessment & feedback – Quizzes, group presentations, and review sessions.