{"id":9635,"date":"2024-09-12T09:17:26","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T13:17:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campuslean.com\/find-the-root-cause-an-essential-step-to-eradicate-a-problem\/"},"modified":"2024-09-12T09:40:34","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T13:40:34","slug":"find-the-root-cause-an-essential-step-to-eradicate-a-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/find-the-root-cause-an-essential-step-to-eradicate-a-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Find the Root Cause: An Essential Step to Eradicate a Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p style=\"padding-top:15%\">What do most Quebecers do with dandelions? They cut them with a lawnmower. And what happens a few days later? The weeds come back to haunt them.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This same thing happens in business. A problem arises, but\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There\u2019s no time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No urgency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No knowledge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are plenty of reasons why someone might look for a temporary fix or less-ideal solution to a problem. We aren\u2019t blaming you: it happens to every business at some point. Unfortunately, oftentimes, the problem just resurfaces in a few weeks or months. Why? Because to get rid of dandelions, they have to be uprooted. In other words, to choose the best way to solve a problem permanently, you need to find its source, its root cause.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a root cause?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When defining a problem, people often start from the <strong>consequence<\/strong>: for instance, late delivery. That leads them to the <strong>problem<\/strong>: a lack of parts for assembly. From there, they find the cause: the sub-assembly team is struggling to keep up.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they\u2019re not careful, they may (mistakenly) look for solutions to help that team become faster and more efficient, like reviewing work plans or offering training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019ve found a cause, but not the root cause(s)\u2014the source of the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Two approaches to address the problem\u2026 for good<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several approaches you can take to rectify a problem once and for all. They include the 8D method and the 5G method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>8D (8 disciplines) method<\/strong> is based on 8 steps to follow rigorously, one after the other, without skipping any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a competent team to solve the problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Describe the problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh-1024x305.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9637 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh-1024x305.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9637 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh-1024x305.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh-300x89.jpg 300w, https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh-768x229.jpg 768w, https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh-600x179.jpg 600w, https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Campus-LEAN-wwwwwhh.jpg 1516w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify and take immediate actions to temporarily address the problem or limit its consequences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify the root causes (dig, dig, and dig again).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Validate and implement permanent corrective actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure the effectiveness of these actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Standardize the improvement measures to prevent the problem from happening again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Congratulate the team.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>5G method<\/strong> is derived from 5 Japanese words that represent the 5 fundamental steps to take to effectively solve a problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Gamba<\/em> (the actual place): Go to the actual location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Genbutsu<\/em> (the actual thing): At the actual location, examine all the components of the problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Genjitsu<\/em> (the actual facts): Gather the facts, data, and results, then analyze the performance indicators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Genri<\/em> (the theory): Check the relevance of the standards, instructions, and procedures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Gensoku<\/em> (the standard): Adapt and improve the practices, redefine the work standards, then apply at the actual location.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tools for finding the root cause(s)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the problem-solving method you choose, the most important step is to look for the root cause. To do this, you can use several tools, including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brainstorming: A meeting during which participants express their ideas and proposals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ishikawa diagram: A diagram for listing the causes, classifying them, and ranking them<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affinity diagram: A method for organizing ideas raised by a group and organizing them by theme<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/les-5-pourquoi-loutil-danalyse-des-causes-fondamentales-par-excellence-2\/\">5 whys<\/a>: A tool that involves asking \u201cwhy\u201d several (around 5) times about the problem to find the source, the root cause<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nominal group technique: A technique that consists of generating and sharing ideas, discussing them, and ranking them in order of preference<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interrelationship diagram: A tool to use when several interrelated causes make problem-solving complex and risky<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These tools are often less effective when used individually. However, when they are combined, they can produce incredible results. For example, you can combine:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brainstorming to find the possible causes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An Ishikawa or affinity diagram to regroup the causes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The nominal group technique to identify the main causes; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An interrelationship diagram to establish the links between the causes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When the actual root cause is found, the solution becomes obvious. From there, you will need to continue your process by designing and setting up an action plan to implement the solution you chose. If you need support with your continuous improvement process, feel free to reach out to experts from Campus LEAN.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>by <em>Olivier de Brouwer, ing.<br><\/em>Senior Quality and Continuous Improvement Consultant<br>Manager \u2013 director \u2013 coach<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kt-svg-icons9635_636dc5-91 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons9635_636dc5-91{justify-content:flex-start;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons9635_636dc5-91 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-9635_261cc6-5a .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-9635_261cc6-5a .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#0077b5;font-size:35px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-9635_261cc6-5a\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/olivier-de-brouwer\/\" class=\"kt-svg-icon-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fa_linkedin\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What do most Quebecers do with dandelions? They cut them with a lawnmower. And what happens a few days later? The weeds come back to haunt them. This same thing happens in business. A problem arises, but\u2026 There are plenty of reasons why someone might look for a temporary fix or less-ideal solution to a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9635"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9635\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9641,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9635\/revisions\/9641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/campuslean.gumstaging.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}