Scenario #1, Bad Example

Finding (Problem): My glasses have broken several times within the last few weeks, which is slowing my productivity.

Containment: Use clear adhesive tape to secure the lens in the frame.

Root Cause: The root cause of the finding is that the glasses keep breaking, causing me to miss deadlines.

Corrective Action: Use clear adhesive tape to secure the lens in the frame, each time they break; ask boss for deadline extension.

REFLECTION: Why is this a poor example of root cause analysis?
The example illustrates poor root cause analysis by highlighting common mistakes that prevent clients from identifying the true root cause and determining the proper systemic corrective action. The root cause listed above is actually a symptom of the problem; it does not address the true problem in the system. Also, the corrective action provided is an act of containment, not irreversible systemic corrective action. In this example, the finding and the root cause are identical, which provides no to value to the system.