HOW TO COMBAT MEDIOCRITY IN YOUR RCAs

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We are all problem solvers. Each and every

one of us actively deals with

problems on a regular, if not a

daily basis.

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However, the crucial question is “Is everyone actually good

at problem solving?”

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Mediocrity occurs for a number of reasons. We’ll focus on four aspects of your RCA program which, if not set up correctly, could be catalysts behind a consistent flow of mediocre root cause analysis investigations within your organization.

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A STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT TRAINING

1.

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So, you’ve trained your employees in

root cause analysis and you’re expecting to see some fantastic RCA results coming

through.

Right?© ARMS Reliability

...Not so fast.© ARMS Reliability

If there is little structure to support the training in terms of:

• a requirement to use the process,

• mentoring and feedback provided to trainees,

• or quality audits on their efforts,Then you can expect to see a whole range in terms of the quality of investigations being submitted. If the majority of the investigations are average then the value of the training comes into question.

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Sound Familiar?

It’s Not meeting expectations

people don’t like it

people are not using it

It’s Not workingit’s not getting the results

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If ANY training is unsupported, the same outcome could occur. So is this a problem with the training or a problem with the structure that supports the training?

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Two days of training or a week of training doesn’t make anyone an expert in anything.

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Each trainee sits somewhere along the learning curve at the start of the training and hopefully, if they have been paying attention, they move along the curve to a better place after the training.

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The purpose of the training is to skew the curve – to move the curve to the right so you have more investigations being completed to a higher standard.

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The challenge for all companies is to work out how to move trainees from where each individual sits on that learning curve after the training, to application of excellence within the discipline at which the training was directed.

Isn’t this what was originally intended?© ARMS Reliability

We train our people and then, figuratively

speaking, throw them to the wolves

expecting them to be the evangelists for the

learning and the cure to all of our problems.

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Average outcome=

No value in training more staff=

Acceptance of mediocre problem solving

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It is essential that there is a feedback loop, whereby mediocre investigation reports are not accepted, or signed off.

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Underpin your investigation program with managerial overview. Managers should be trained in the RCA method so they can:

• Challenge the outcome

• Provide positive recognition

• Insist on rework

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If managers are not trained in the RCA method, then they

are in the hands of the people who

have been trained, and the danger is

that mediocrity becomes the norm.

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AMOUNT OF TIME DEDICATED TO INVESTIGATIONS

2.

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How long does an investigation take?

ONE HOUR?

Four Hours?

One Day?

One Week?© ARMS Reliability

There is no right answer.

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If an investigation is warranted then it should be resourced to a point where an excellent result is possible. If that means you have 5 people in a room all day then so be it. The significance of the problem must warrant that level of support.

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Conducting a root cause analysis requires a dedication of time and resources to achieve a desirable outcome. How much do your problems cost you after all? If you want your investigations to be effective, then you will need to support them to the level needed.

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It’s essential to understand your organization’s threshold limits that determine the level of response. This allows you

to allocate appropriate resources and time to the investigation.© ARMS Reliability

When you find yourself in a rush, ask yourself if you

are simply satisfying the need to report, completing obligatory

requirements, just meeting deadlines or is there a genuine

opportunity to improve the business and make a difference.

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INVOLVING THE“RIGHT” PEOPLE

3.

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If you don’t have the “right” people in the room – those with intimate knowledge or experience with the problem, then how good will the investigation be?

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Information is a key ingredient in

all investigations and successful

investigations require that you

have that information in the room

in the form of the people who

have the knowledge, data,

evidence and reports.

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Support and approval from management are necessary

for people to be given the time

to attend the investigation.

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HAVING THE “RIGHT” FACILITATOR

4.

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Do you have the “right” person facilitating?© ARMS Reliability

Good communication skills are important, both verbal and non- verbal. A willingness to be the facilitator should also be considered... someone who has the desire to do this job.

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A good facilitator should be impartial, unbiased, willing to ask the dumb question, and arguably should not be the subject matter expert.

A great facilitator recognises that the credit for a good investigation outcome belongs to the team, and he works deliberately to facilitate that outcome.

Good Great

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IN SUMMARY...

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The cost of significant incidents has a direct impact on the bottom line. Incidents can cost a company hundreds-of-thousands or even multi-million dollars.

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Every incident or accident that occurs

is an opportunity to learn. If we can

learn effectively by doing a high quality

RCA, then the goal of trying to prevent

their reoccurrence is far more likely to be

achieved.© ARMS Reliability

The best results occur from investigations that are well supported, have the right facilitator, and have the right people

involved who have been given sufficient time to understand the event so they can present the best report possible.

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Getting these elements right will go a long way towards moving the quality of your RCA investigations away from mediocrity and towards excellence.

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Key factors in establishing your framework: • Standardize on a methodology and problem

solving technique

• Define a common application standard

• Make sure you have easy to use reporting and charting tools

• Empower your people to use the method and tools effectively

Excellent RCA investigations come from excellent RCA programs.

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ARMS Reliability helps companies structure their RCA program to fit within the goals and

objectives of the business.

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RCA Program Development Jumpstart Workshop provides you with a custom plan for implementing and sustaining your RCA program.

LEARN MORE

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ARMS Reliability has trained over 20,000 people in the Apollo Root Cause Analysis™methodology in multiple languages across worldwide locations and a wide variety of industries.

Our training languages include: English • Spanish • Portuguese • French • Dutch • German Chinese • Bahasa Indonesia • Romanian • Russian • Italian

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The Apollo Root Cause Analysis™method has been used for over 20 years to support

effective problem solving. © ARMS Reliability

RealityCharting® software complements the method by providing a user-friendly way to document all the cause and effect relationships. It provides standardization, quality checks, and in-software help.

DOWNLOAD FREE TRIAL

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To learn more about setting up your RCA program for success visit www.apollorootcause.com or email info@apollorootcause.com

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