Root Cause Analysis

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Introduction to Root Cause Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Although the formula y = f(x) may be primarily well known to Six Sigma

practitioners, it is also applicable to root cause analysis (RCA). e y stands

for an output, and the f(x) represents an unknown factor that inuences

the output y. e formula y = f(x) + ξ (Box, Hunter, and Hunter, 2005)

is perhaps more appropriate to RCA with the ξ (named ix) representing

error. e objective of RCA is to solve for x while being careful to avoid or

account for error.

Root cause analysis is the process of searching for a root cause, the x of

the previous formula. e root cause could be the cause of a failure ...