View source for Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Task

A [[Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Task]] is a [[problem analysis task]] (for some [[problem statement]]) that requires the identifying of [[root cause]]s through [[systematic causal analysis]].
* <B>AKA:</B> [[RCA Task]], [[Root Cause Investigation Task]].
* <B>Context:</B>
** [[Task Input]]: [[Problem Statement]], [[Event Timeline]], [[System State]]
*** [[Optional Input]]: [[Historical Data]], [[System Documentation]], [[Event Log]]s
** [[Task Output]]: [[Root Cause Analysis Report]], [[Causal Graph]], [[Corrective Action Recommendation]]s
** [[Task Performance Measure]]: [[Analysis Quality Metric]]s such as [[causal accuracy]], [[prevention effectiveness]], and [[solution sustainability]]
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** It can produce a [[Root Cause Analysis Report]] through [[systematic documentation]].
** It can identify [[Root Cause]]s through [[deductive inference]].
** It can distinguish [[Causal Factor]]s from [[Root Cause]]s through [[event correlation]].
** It can establish [[Causal Graph]]s through [[relationship mapping]].
** It can prevent [[Problem Recurrence]] through [[corrective action identification]].
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** It can often be part of a [[Continuous Improvement Process]] during [[system enhancement]].
** It can often support [[Problem Prevention]] during [[preventive planning]].
** It can often enable [[Solution Development]] during [[remediation process]]es.
** It can often facilitate [[Knowledge Capture]] during [[investigation process]]es.
** It can often guide [[Corrective Action]] during [[implementation planning]].
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** It can range from being a [[Simple Root Cause Analysis]] to being a [[Complex Root Cause Analysis]], depending on its [[problem complexity]].
** It can range from being a [[Reactive Root Cause Analysis]] to being a [[Proactive Root Cause Analysis]], depending on its [[analysis timing]].
** It can range from being a [[Technical Root Cause Analysis]] to being a [[Systemic Root Cause Analysis]], depending on its [[analysis scope]].
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** It can integrate with [[Event Correlation Analysis]] for [[causal chain identification]].
** It can connect to [[Corrective Action Planning]] for [[solution development]].
** It can support [[Preventive Action Design]] for [[recurrence prevention]].
** It can link to [[Process Improvement]] for [[system enhancement]].
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* <B>Examples:</B>
** [[Technical RCA Task]]s, such as:
*** [[IT System RCA]]s, such as:
**** [[Software Failure Analysis]] for [[code defect investigation]].
**** [[Infrastructure Problem Analysis]] for [[system failure investigation]].
*** [[Industrial RCA]]s, such as:
**** [[Manufacturing Process Analysis]] for [[production issue investigation]].
**** [[Equipment Failure Analysis]] for [[machinery problem investigation]].
** [[Analysis Method]]s, such as:
*** [[Structured Analysis Method]]s, such as:
**** [[5 Whys Task]] for [[iterative cause investigation]].
**** [[Ishikawa Analysis Task]] for [[cause-effect mapping]].
*** [[Statistical Analysis Method]]s, such as:
**** [[Pareto Analysis Task]] for [[vital factor identification]].
**** [[FMEA Task]] for [[failure mode investigation]].
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* <B>Counter-Examples:</B>
** [[Business Process Improvement]], which focuses on [[process enhancement]] rather than [[cause identification]].
** [[Problem Resolution Task]], which emphasizes [[immediate solution]] over [[root cause discovery]].
** [[Incident Response Task]], which prioritizes [[immediate recovery]] over [[cause analysis]].
* <B>See:</B> [[Systems Analysis]], [[Kepner-Tregoe Analysis]], [[Human Factors Analysis]], [[Continuous Improvement]], [[Incident Management]], [[Accident Analysis]], [[Five Whys]], [[FMEA]], [[Fault Tree Analysis]], [[Ishikawa Diagram]], [[Pareto Analysis]].

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