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 What we do - the value of the Cause Mapping Method
Cause Mapping is an extremely effective "systems thinking" approach to root cause analysis that significantly improves communication in group problem solving. Cause Mapping can be used in a wide variety of industries to solve both day-to-day issues as well as major incidents. ThinkReliability provides Cause Mapping - Effective Root Cause Analysis training and investigation services.
Understand the "Why" Side of your Business
Cause Mapping method of root cause analysis helps people understand why a failure or problem occurred in their operations. Uncovering the specific details of why a problem happened is essential for identifying exactly what needs to be done to prevent it. The "Why" side of your business is the clear explanation of exactly why a problem occurred. Consider how important the answers to these questions are for improving results in your business.
| Area | Questions | |
| | | Safety | Why did we have that injury?
What should we do to prevent those injuries? | | | | Manufacturing | Why did we have that down time?
Why is that product off spec? | | | | Operations | Why did we make that error?
How did we miss that?
Why did we have that delay?
Why is this process so confusing? | | | | Healthcare | Why did that medication error occur?
Why did we have that near miss? | | | | Customer Service | Why was the customer unhappy?
Why was the customer pleased? (so we can repeat it) | | | | Sales | Why did we lose that sale?
Why did we make that sale? (so we can repeat it) | | | | Performance | Why does it take longer to process some orders?
Why has performance dropped in this area? | | | | Projects | Why did the project take too long?
Why did the project overrun the budget? | | | | Environmental | Why did we have a release?
Why did we have a spill? | | | | Maintenance | Why did the component fail?
Why do we have recurring problems?
Why is our reliability so poor? |
Answering these questions in detail using an extremely clear and simple format is the focus of our business. Cause Mapping breaks these questions down into specific cause-and-effect relationships laid out in an intuitive, visual format that allows everyone to "see" all of the information.
The importance of problem solving skills in your organization
The effectiveness of your organization is a function of how well the individuals and groups within the organization analyze, document, communicate and solve problems. The Cause Mapping method of root cause analysis provides specific skills and steps to improve not only how the problem is solved, but how long it takes to solve the problem.
- Do you know the cost of problems in your business annually?
- Do people frequently disagree about "the problem?"
- Do people frequently disagree about "the cause" of the problem?
- Do you know the cost of recurring problems in your organization?
Determine the total impact of your problems
Even the most simple review of a problem can prove to be an eye-opening experience to those people that dealing with the problem on a regular basis and those managers unaware of the details. Let us show you with a free demonstration how the total value of just one problem can impact your business financially. Ironically, the resources you need to improve your operations are already on your payroll! Most organizations are capturing the total value of their problems as simply economic costs. Realistically, the total value also includes the risk to safety, customers and operations.
Develop problem solving skills
Cause Mapping demands a disciplined thought process for working through complex problems. This can be one person or a group of people. The Cause Mapping method is about both critical thinking and creative ideas. Analyzing causally why an issue occurred with objective facts and creative, thoughtful insight leads to developing solutions to meet specific goals. We have found a variety of employees benefit greatly by attendig our Cause Mapping - Effective Root Cause Analysis workshops. Those roles include: engineers to attorneys, technicians to managers, supervisors to front-line employees.
Positive & Negative Cause Maps
People typically think of looking at causes as a way to investigate negative, reactive problems. The Cause Mapping method can be used to identify why something went poorly as well as why something went well. Determining the causes of why something went well can be extremely important for duplicating those results again and across an organization.
Proactive & Reactive Cause Maps
It can also be used for investigating both why something did happen (the past) and how something could happen (the future). What could cause the negative effect to happen is risk management. What could cause the postive effect to happen is the identification of specific actions to meet a goal.
One Problem at Time
The Cause Mapping method is an extremely effective tool for leading a group of people through a complex investigation. The method does not have to be implemented across an organization for it to be effective. The Cause Mapping method of root cause analysis can be used to work one problem at a time. Achieving results from a thorough and effective investigation is the best way to grow the approach within an organization.
One Person
This structured approach to root cause analysis can be used by one person to lead an entire investigation. The Cause Mapping method focuses on evidence-based cause-and-effect analysis and helps people within an organization consider more creative solutions. One person familiar with the Cause Mapping method can lead a group through a complete investigation even though the attendees may be seeing the approach for the first time. The simplicity and effectiveness of the tool is one of the reasons that our clients select our method. One person can get results from the Cause Mapping method working one problem at a time.
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