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Quality glossary

RCA (Root Cause Analysis)

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) digs beneath symptoms to uncover the systemic drivers of quality issues. The goal is to prevent recurrence, not just to correct the immediate effect.

Popular RCA techniques

Teams combine tools such as the 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagrams, and fault tree analysis to reveal process weaknesses. Selecting the right technique depends on the complexity of the issue.

Linking RCA to action

Insights feed directly into CAPA plans that specify owners, timelines, and verification steps.

Lessons learned also improve future FMEA workshops, helping teams anticipate issues before they reach customers.

Documenting RCA in KaizenQ

Within KaizenQ, inspectors and engineers record investigation notes, attach photos, and assign follow-up tasks. The shared history builds institutional knowledge for future problem solving.

Key takeaways
  • RCA gets to the source of recurring issues.
  • Findings should always link to corrective and preventive actions.
  • Centralised documentation accelerates future investigations.

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