Pareto Analysis: This is a technique that helps determine which tasks make the most overall impact. This uses the Pareto Principal, which is also known as the 80/20 rule. It  translates to 20% of the work done generates 80% of the benefit of doing the entire process or job.

Broken down:

• 20% of your products or services account for 80% of customer complaints
• 20% of possible causes account for 80% of delays in the schedule
• 80% of your profits come from 20% of your product or services
• 80% of your company’s revenue is produced by 20% of your sales staff

Pareto Chart: This is a vertical bar chart that helps you automatically see by the descending order of the height of the bar and how to prioritize the problem. This can help in analyzing issues and identifying root causes.

Flowcharts: These are great and can be used in process mapping. Flow charts give a visual of work processes. Anyone can quickly see how and if there are duplicate efforts being done or what part of the process doesn’t offer value to the end product.

Check Sheets: These are used to collect data and keep an organized list of data.

Histograms: These are to quickly find variation in an existing process. The spikes in the histograms would show the variation. To create a histogram you need to:

• Collect the data having to do with the issue
• Prioritize the data
• Assign categories
• Create a bar chart
• Fill in counts and categories

Cause and Effect Diagrams: Also known as the fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram, these are used when a company team is involved in problem solving.  Brainstorming is a big component used for filling in the possible causes and effects. The cause and effect diagrams can be used in the service, manufacturing, or process steps, and any category that you need to visually see what would otherwise be a concept or verbal acknowledgement of a problem.

Learn more about these tools through one of our Six Sigma training classes! For more information on our Six Sigma training courses or services, visit 6sigma.com.

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The reason that conducting a root cause analysis is so important is that it is the only way you can identify exactly what is the root cause of the problem. This will result in the best possible solution that will be both effective and efficient.

The Best RCA Tools to Play the Blame Game

1. The 5 Whys: This Lean Six Sigma tool is so easy that kids already play it. Just keep asking why until a meaningful conclusion has been established. Many times it could take as long as it has taken to answer one of your kid’s most challenging questions.
2. Flowcharts: Everyone can visually see what is being impacted with flowcharts; these make things clear to kids as well. Make sure you keep the flowcharts simple.
3. Fishbone Diagram: This is also known as the cause and effect diagram. Used in conjunction with the 5 Whys when the 5 Whys are too general. The Fishbone diagram will put causes into specific categories, indicating how that cause impacts the outcome.
4. Brainstorming: This will bring the entire family together so everyone can have their say or input. Everyone’s input counts and is added, so this is a great Lean Six Sigma tool for family participation. The result in the brainstorming session should identify the root cause of the problem (why the garage always gets messy) and try to come up with possible solutions.
5. Affinity Diagram: This can be used with the information gathered from the brainstorming session, by organizing and possibly consolidating that information to further relate to the issue at hand.

This is yet another creative way to use the magic of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma tools in our daily lives to deal with common, everyday organization issues.

Interested in learning more about root cause analysis? Learn about our RCA training!

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