What are some tools or techniques that you use to facilitate root cause problem solving sessions?

In my experience, there are 3 basic types of root causes that can have a potential impact on a problem, such as: Physical causes: May arise due to problems with any physical component of a system, such as hardware failure and equipment malfunction Human causes: May occur due to human error, caused by lack of skills and knowledge to perform a task Organizational causes: May happen when organizations use a system or process that is faulty or insufficient, in situations like giving incomplete instructions, making wrong decisions, and mishandling staff and property

A good leader's paradigm is to always asks Why .For people making them think by asking Why, means pushing out of their comfort zone.For business 5 Why’s is all about continuous improvement. You cannot move forward very fast if you’re not solving problems at the root causes. Understanding 5 Why’s mechanism #1 WHY? Because it forces people to think well below their first assessment. #2 Why? Because you don’t stop at the first why. #3 Why? Because it requires you talk to several or many people during your why questioning technique. #4 Why? Because it makes you think more about collecting actual facts for the problem. #5 Why? Because it forces you to drill well below the surface symptoms to get to the root cause of the problem.

Here's a simple breakdown of how the 5 Whys technique works Define the Problem: Start by clearly defining the problem you want to address. This helps to ensure that everyone is focused on the same issue. Ask "Why?" Begin by asking why the problem occurred, and then continue to ask "Why?" for each answer you receive. Explore the Root Cause: The goal is to drill down to the root cause of the problem. Each "Why?" should lead you closer to understanding the fundamental issue rather than addressing symptoms. Develop Countermeasures: Once you've identified the root cause, you can then develop effective countermeasures or solutions Implement and Monitor: Implement the chosen countermeasures ..

I would recommend the ProSolvr : Visual AI-powered RCA tool to resolve problems, permanently as it believes in the effectiveness of the 5 Whys method for problem-solving. This straightforward approach helps uncover the reasons behind issues and provides insights into practical ways to address them. Whether you are working solo or with a team, the 5 Whys can be applied to various problems, making it a versatile and valuable tool.

Simon Sinek's book "Start With Why" indeed emphasizes the significance of understanding the 'why' behind actions and decisions. When people consider purchasing a product, they often inquire about its purpose and underlying motivation. Apple's success is strongly linked to this principle. They don't solely produce computers and electronic devices; instead, they champion innovation and extraordinary thinking. This approach not only supports customer loyalty but also fosters dedication within the company, "Thinking Like Steve Jobs" by Daniel Smith.

Ishikawa's Fishbone analysis is a very popular visual technique for systematic RCA, and is a time-tested quality tool recommended by Six Sigma. Fishbone analysis can be effectively combined with the Five Whys technique to explore potential causes methodically for any investigation. The power of the Fishbone analysis lies in its CLEAR and COMPACT visualization, which makes it easy for humans to analyze and solve complex problems. Having analyzed hundreds of problems with fishbones I am a firm believer in this method. To jumpstart your problem solving using fishbones you can leverage existing resources on the web, including 100+ free templates available here: https://community.smartqed.ai/qed-templates/

The Fishbone Diagram, also known as the Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect diagram, is a visual tool used to analyze potential causes of a specific problem or an effect. It's called a fishbone diagram due to its appearance resembling a fish skeleton, with the problem or effect at the head of the "fish" and the causes branching off like bones.

The most useful thing (in my opinion) in A3 problem solving is that makes you define and understand your problem in detailed way which could let you start your RCA in a more utilized way