How Is a Root Cause Analysis Conducted?
A team approach is used to conduct a root cause analysis. This team is composed of staff who is closest to the process or system and those who have decision-making authority. The team will be made from staff at various levels of organization. Since power and control are issues with a team of different experience, education, and status levels, it is best to have a person trained in group facilitation to be the facilitator. Also helpful is a resource person to provide help using the tools of root cause analysis. A leader should be identified clearly, and the group should have the support of top management to meet as frequently as necessary. Top management should also empower the team to do its assessment and make changes or recommendations for changes. Resources, including time, to do its work need to be provided. Lastly, ground rules for team functioning and composition need to be established at the beginning. Frequently, as the assessment proceeds, additional members may need to be add
