How Often Do You Perform a Root Cause Analysis? (Hint – Probably Not Enough)

I think everyone understands the importance of performing a solid root cause analysis (RCA) to fix problems in their companies. An effective RCA helps you identify process issues, dig down to the human performance-based root causes, and implement corrective actions that work. The value of these analyses is clear. TapRooT® RCA is one of the most respected systems to perform a root cause analysis in workplace safety, quality, and operational investigations. During my regular meetings with TapRooT® Users, it’s always noted that RCA is one of the most valuable parts of their improvement programs.

Then I ask:
“How often do you perform a Root Cause Analysis?“
The answer I often hear is:
“Luckily, we didn’t have too many incidents this quarter, so we didn’t have to use it very often.“

On the surface, that seems like a reasonable answer. But honestly, I believe many companies are missing a huge opportunity for improvement. Let’s take a closer look.

Do You Perform a Root Cause Analysis for Small Incidents?

If you think your company doesn’t have problems just because you didn’t have a “major” incident, you just aren’t looking hard enough. Mistakes happen EVERY SINGLE DAY at every company. Most of the time, those mistakes don’t cause a major upset because other safeguards catch them before things spiral. I’m thrilled those safeguards usually work, but is depending on them really a long-term strategy?
Wouldn’t it be better to fix those small mistakes, run a quick RCA on them, and eliminate them for good?
It seems risky to let those small mistakes float around your company, just waiting for the right conditions to turn into something major.

Some companies tell me they use “quicker” (read: less effective) methods to fix small issues. Think about 5 Whys. If I hand a 5-Why investigation to three different teams, chances are we’ll get three different answers. So, did we actually fix the issue? Is it going to happen again? Probably. Why waste time on a method that’s proven to give poor results?

Why not just use TapRooT®, even for the small stuff? You already trust it for the big investigations — you know it works. You can apply it to small problems, too, and get effective, reliable results. For very simple issues, a TapRooT® RCA can be done quickly. It won’t take much more time than a superficial 5-Whys, but you’ll actually fix the problem, and fix it right.

Are You Getting Enough Practice?

And here’s another important point: How do you get good at something you only do a couple of times a year? TapRooT® RCA is easy to use, but just like any other skill, proficiency comes from practice. We recommend using it at least once a month. Tackling smaller issues gives your team the practice they need, so when those major investigations show up, they’re confident and ready.

Are You Using RCA Proactively?

You don’t have to wait for problems to come to you, either. Go out and find them! Use TapRooT® RCA proactively. Watch someone perform a task, identify minor problems before they grow, and run a quick RCA. Why wait until those issues cause an incident when you can fix them today?

When I hear someone say they don’t have enough incidents to use TapRooT® frequently, it tells me their criteria are too high. Lower your threshold.

Instead of limiting RCAs to Lost Time Injuries, consider doing them for First Aid reports or near-misses. This approach allows for more frequent (and faster) RCAs, fixes more problems, and builds stronger investigation skills across the team.

Don’t save TapRooT® just for the major incidents. Start getting the benefits of the system for the little things, too. Don’t wait until someone gets seriously hurt or a major environmental release occurs to decide it’s time to improve. Get ahead of the problems now — and keep your company moving forward.

If you’re ready to strengthen your investigation skills, fix problems before they grow, and build a safer, more reliable workplace, now is the time to act. TapRooT® RCA Training gives you the proven tools and techniques you need to perform root cause analysis effectively — not just for major incidents, but for everyday opportunities to improve. Don’t wait for a serious event to realize the value of better investigations. Sign up for a TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis course today and start building the skills that will move your company forward.