To solve a problem it is imperative to find the actual problem at the bottom of it all.
Root Cause:
The actual and initial cause of something happening. Used to describe the origins of errors in production or services to be sure you solve the source of a problem and not a symptom.
If there is a problem in your processes it is important to know the correct root cause. There is no use to solve the wrong problem. To assist with this task there are many tools. One commonly used is the Ishikawa Diagram with a 4M or 5M layout. This added to the terminology section.
Ishikawa Diagram:
Also known as fishbone diagrams or cause-and-effect diagram. It is used to map possible causes and narrow them to find the root-cause or the cause of a specific phenomena.
4M:
A systematic approach to root cause analysis. Machine, Man, Method and Material. Often used as an Ishikawa Diagram.
5M:
An expanded version of 4M analysis where a fifth M is added, Measurements. Making it Machine, Man, Method, Material and Measurements. It is a systematic approach to root cause analysis often used as an Ishikawa Diagram.
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”
– Zig Ziglar
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”
– Mark Twain
