How to use Root Cause Analysis (#RCA) in the #construction sector?

#Root_cause_analysis (#RCA) is a technique for finding and fixing the underlying causes of problems and issues. It can help you prevent recurring failures, improve quality, and save time and money.

In this blog post, we will show you what RCA is, how it works, and what tools you can use to perform it. We will also give you an example of how RCA can be applied in the construction sector.

1.0 Introduction

RCA is a process of discovering the root or underlying causes of specific problems, issues, or outcomes to identify appropriate solutions and ultimately ‘fix’ the problem.

RCA is a reactive process, meaning it’s performed after the event occurs. But once a root cause analysis is done, it takes the shape of a proactive mechanism since it can predict problems before they occur.

2.0 RCA Process

RCA works by following a series of steps, techniques, and tools to determine:

• What happened?
• Why had it happened?
• How to prevent it from happening again?

The exact steps and tools may vary depending on the situation and the industry, but a general RCA process can be summarized as follows:

• Define the problem: describe what happened, when it happened, where it happened, who was involved, and what was the impact.
• Collect data: gather relevant information and evidence about the problem, such as documents, records, reports, interviews, observations, etc.
• Identify possible causes: brainstorm all the potential factors that could have contributed to the problem, using tools such as fishbone diagrams or fault tree analysis.
• Analyze possible causes: test each possible cause against the data and evidence collected, using tools such as 5 whys or Pareto charts.
• Identify root cause(s): narrow down the list of possible causes to one or more root causes that are most likely to explain the problem and that can be controlled or eliminated.
• Recommend solutions: propose corrective actions or preventive measures that can address the root cause(s) and prevent the recurrence of the problem.
• Implement solutions: execute the recommended solutions and monitor their effectiveness and outcomes.

3.0 RCA Tools

There are many tools and techniques that can help you perform RCA effectively. Some of the most common ones are:

• Fishbone diagram: also known as the Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect diagram, this tool helps you visualize all the possible causes of a problem in a structured way. It looks like a fish skeleton with a head (the problem) and bones (the causes).
• 5 whys: this tool helps you dig deeper into each possible cause by asking “why” repeatedly until you reach the root cause. It assumes that most problems have five levels of causes.
• Fault tree analysis: this tool helps you map out all the possible events and conditions that can lead to a failure in a logical way. It looks like an inverted tree with branches (the events) and leaves (the conditions).
• Pareto chart: also known as the 80/20 rule or ABC analysis, this tool helps you prioritize the most significant causes of a problem based on their frequency or impact. It looks like a bar chart with a line graph showing the cumulative percentage of each cause.

4.0 RCA Example

RCA can be used in any industry that deals with problems and issues that need to be solved. The construction sector is no exception. In fact, RCA can be very beneficial for construction projects, as they often involve complex processes, multiple stakeholders, high risks, and tight deadlines.

Here is a different example of how RCA can be applied in the #construction sector:

Problem: A building under construction collapsed due to structural failure.

Step 1: Define the problem.

The building was a 12-story residential complex. It collapsed on Saturday night at 11 pm. It was under construction for six months and was scheduled to be completed in three months. The collapse killed four workers and injured six others. It also damaged nearby properties and vehicles.

Step 2: Collect data.

The data and evidence collected included:

• The design and construction documents of the building
• The inspection and quality control records of the building
• The soil and foundation reports of the site
• The weather conditions and seismic activity at the time of the collapse
• The eyewitness accounts and testimonies of the workers, residents, and authorities
• The forensic analysis and investigation reports of the collapse
• The debris and wreckage of the collapsed building

Step 3: Identify possible causes.

·??????The possible causes brainstormed using a fault tree analysis were:

Step 4: Analyze possible causes.

·??????The possible causes were tested against the data and evidence collected using a Pareto chart. The results were:

Step 5: Identify root cause(s)

The root cause(s) identified were:

• The design of the building was faulty and did not comply with the codes and standards.
• The construction of the building was poor and did not follow the specifications and best practices.
• The supervision and quality control of the building was inadequate and did not detect or correct the errors and defects.

Step 6: Recommend solutions.

The solutions recommended were:

• Reviewing and revising the design of the building and ensuring its compliance with the codes and standards
• Demolishing and rebuilding the building according to the revised design and specifications
• Hiring more qualified and experienced engineers, contractors, and inspectors
• Implementing more rigorous supervision and quality control procedures and standards
• Providing more training and awareness programs for workers and stakeholders

Step 7: Implement solutions.

The solutions implemented were:

• Hiring an independent consultant to review and revise the design of the building
• Obtaining necessary permits and approvals from authorities and stakeholders
• Following safety protocols and best practices during demolition and reconstruction activities
• Documenting and communicating the progress and results of the solutions
• Evaluating and measuring the performance and reliability of the building after completion

5.0 Conclusion

RCA is a useful technique for finding and fixing problems in any industry. It can help you improve quality, safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. It can also help you learn from mistakes, prevent future failures, and save time and money.

In this blog post, we have shown you what RCA is, how it works, what tools you can use for it, and how you can apply it in the construction sector. We have also given you a different example of how RCA can be used to investigate a building collapse due to structural failure.

We hope this blog post has been helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments about RCA, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading!

?Ref:

www.asq.org

www.gator995.com

www.Juran.com

www.sitemate.com

www.safetyculture.com

www.structville.com