Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method used in project management to find out why problems or failures in a project happened in the first place. The goal of RCA is to find the main cause(s) of a problem instead of just fixing the symptoms. This way, the right steps can be done to stop the problem from happening again.
Usually, the following steps make up the RCA process:
The first step is to figure out what the problem or issue is that needs to be fixed. This could be a missed date, a budget that went over, a problem with the quality, or any other issue that came up during the job.
Once the problem has been found, the next step is to collect information about it. This could mean looking at project paperwork, talking to partners, or analysing data from tools used for project management.
Analyze the data: Once the data has been collected, it is analysed to find the problem’s root causes. This could mean using tools like fishbone diagrams, flowcharts, or Pareto charts to help see the problem and figure out what might be causing it.
Find the problem’s main causes. The problem’s root causes are found by analysing the data. These are the main reasons why the trouble started in the first place.
Develop answers: Once the underlying reasons have been found, solutions are made to deal with them. This could mean making changes to how the project is run, moving resources around, or putting in place new tools or technologies.
The last step is to put the ideas that have been thought of into action. This could mean making changes to the project plan, making sure the project paperwork is up-to-date, or teaching the project team how to use new tools or methods.
Overall, RCA is an important tool for project managers because it helps them figure out what went wrong and why, instead of just fixing the symptoms. By getting to the bottom of problems, project managers can take steps to stop them from happening again in the future. This can lead to better project results.
