Systematic investigation to identify the fundamental cause of an incident.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a systematic investigation method identifying the fundamental cause of incidents—not just what happened, but why. RCA techniques include the '5 Whys' (repeatedly asking why), fishbone diagrams, and fault tree analysis. Understanding root cause enables effective prevention rather than treating symptoms. RCA should be blameless, focusing on process and system improvements rather than individual fault.
Why It Matters
The DSC Perspective:
Addressing root causes prevents recurrence. Surface-level fixes allow the same incidents to happen again. Invest time in proper RCA and implement findings to strengthen defences.