What do you do if you need to identify the root cause of a problem in Product Engineering?

Ensure you gather data from as many sources as possible. Operational data such as error reports, input from operators, and personal observations, can all be used to effectively develop a problem statement. Additional information detailing how the product is intended to work should also be gathered here. This will make it easier down the line to compare the failure mode to the desired state. Note: The better the problem statement, the easier it will be to identify root cause and develop a long term action plan.

Some of the recommendations based on my experience - Define the problem clearly, gather relevant data and information about the issue. Analyze any available documentation, talk to relevant stakeholders and examine the product or process in question closely. Brainstorm with the stakeholders to explore potential causes. Analyze the data to identify patterns or trends that could point to potential causes. Once you have identified possible root causes, test your hypotheses to confirm which ones are contributing to the problem.

In my experience as a product manager, gathering data is the fundamental first step in identifying the root cause of any problem in product engineering. I meticulously collect all relevant data, including technical specifications, user feedback, error reports, and any other pertinent information. This approach helps me create a comprehensive picture of the issue at hand. It's like putting together pieces of a puzzle; the more pieces I have, the clearer the picture becomes. This thorough data collection is essential for accurate analysis and allows me to pinpoint the exact location where things went awry, enabling effective and precise solutions.

Data is a major contributor in root cause analysis. Without it you would have to go by word of mouth, which can be complicated wrong or misunderstood.

Field verification is a must. You can get a lot from trends and other data, but sometimes the equipment is the culprit. Just because the system says it's running or the valve position is at set point doesn't mean it is correct. You must verify in the field.

When formulating hypotheses, approach it like methodical detective work. Begin by carefully reviewing documentation and requirements to establish a baseline understanding. Next, analyze data and logs for anomalies or patterns that may point to potential causes. Consider past incidents or known issues for insights. Engage with your team and stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives. Formulate hypotheses based on this evidence, focusing on the most plausible ones while filtering out distractions. Validate the leading hypothesis through testing and analysis, aiming to identify the true root cause efficiently.

Many times issues get by us because it's happened before and you know what is happening. Always verify because some issues lead to other failures in the same part of the process. It's a must to verify every time.

I will do the following thing to find the root cause:- collect information about the history of such kind of issue in past if happened than what action was taken and effectiveness if not than start collecting information from scratch like when did the problem occur what is the first thing observed and do reverse engineering to find out root cause and possible reason .