Analyze Causes

The purpose of this analysis is to develop solutions to the identified problems by analyzing the relevant data and producing action proposals for implementation.

• Conduct causal analysis with the people who are responsible for performing the task. Causal analysis is performed with those people who have an understanding of the selected defect or problem under study, typically in meetings. The people who have the best understanding of the selected defect are typically those responsible for performing the task. Examples of when to perform causal analysis include:
  • When a stable process does not meet its specified quality and processperformance objectives
  • During the task, if and when problems warrant additional meetings
  • When a work product exhibits an unexpected deviation from its requirements
• Analyze selected defects and other problems to determine their root causes. Depending on the type and number of defects, it may make sense to first group the defects before identifying their root causes. [PA155.IG101.SP102.SubP102.N102] Examples of methods to determine root causes include:
  • Cause-and-effect (fishbone) diagrams
  • Check sheets
• Group the selected defects and other problems based on their root causes. Examples of cause groups, or categories, include:
  • Inadequate training
  • Breakdown of communications
  • Not accounting for all details of the task
  • Making mistakes in manual procedures (e.g., typing)
  • Process deficiency
• Propose and document actions that need to be taken to prevent the future occurrence of similar defects or other problems. Examples of proposed actions include:
  • The process in question
  • Training
  • Tools
  • Methods
  • Communications
  • Work products
  Examples of specific actions include:
  • Providing training in common problems and techniques for preventing them
  • Changing a process so that error-prone steps do not occur
  • Automating all or part of a process
  • Reordering process activities
  • Adding process steps to prevent defects, such as task kickoff meetings to review common defects and actions to prevent them
  An action proposal usually documents:
  • Originator of the action proposal
  • Description of the problem
  • Description of the defect cause
  • Defect cause category
  • Phase when the problem was introduced
  • Phase when the defect was identified
  • Description of the action proposal
  • Action proposal category