Root cause analysis (RCA)
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a systematic process of identifying the causes of failures. Such activities include collecting and verifying data on failures step by step. The aim of such procedures is to get to the root of the problem rather than just removing the effects.
A typical RCA cycle includes:
- Information gathering – recording the time, circumstances, and parameters of the process before the failure.
- Mapping causes and effects – identifying key factors. Tools such as Ishikawa diagrams, fault trees, and Pareto analysis are used.
- In-depth analysis – searching for answers to the question “why did this factor occur?” Methods such as 5 Whys and FMEA are used.
- Designing corrective and preventive actions – preparing to reduce future failures based on previously identified causes.
Why is RCA important? Statistics confirm the importance of thoroughly investigating the causes of failures. The Uptime Institute 2024 report indicates that up to 40% of organizations experience serious failures due to human error. As many as 85% of these may result from non-compliance with procedures or faulty processes. RCA allows you to detect these gaps and eliminate them at the source. Companies that consistently use RCA not only see a lower risk of repeat failures, but also better safety and machine availability rates.
