Root Cause Analysis Video Tips – Doing Better Investigations (Part 2)

Last week we discussed how to improve your investigation by preparing well. This week we’ll dive into evidence collection.

So now you are ready to start your investigation. The best thing you can do to have a good investigation is to have a really good SnapCharT®. Most of the time you spend in an investigation is spent collecting evidence and putting it on your chart.

We teach several evidence collection techniques in our courses….

The 3 P’s and the R:
• People
• Plant
• Paper
• Recordings

Interviewing (TapRooT® book, Chapter 3)

Optional techniques:
• Equifactor® (for equipment problems) – TapRooT® book, Chapter 9
• Change Analysis (what has changed or what is different) TapRooT® book, Chapter 11
• CHAP (critical human action profile) TapRooT® book, Chapter 12

Trust me, if you have a good comprehensive SnapCharT® your analysis will be easy and you will find all the root causes. Without that, you will miss something, your corrective actions will be lacking, and your incidents will recur.

Once you have your chart complete, your causal factors identified, and have completed your root cause analysis, it is time for the output of your investigation – corrective actions. Don’t forget our SMARTER technique and use the Corrective Action Helper® for good ideas. Safeguards Analysis is also a great tool for developing corrective actions.

I could go on all day about this, but the key thing I want to bring out here is you MUST have a good SnapCharT®. If you focus on that the rest should fall into place nicely.

Click here to view Part 1 of this video.

or check out other short videos in our root cause tip series:

What Makes a World-Class Root Cause Analysis System with Ken Reed (Click here to view tip.)

TapRooT® & Healthcare: Getting the Most from Your Sentinel Event Investigation with Ed Skompski (Click here to view tip.)

Prevent Equipment Failures with Ken Reed (Click here to view tip.)