What is the purpose of Root Cause Analysis?

The purpose of Root Cause Analysis is to find the real cause of a problem by focusing on why it occurred. This methodology aims to go beyond the immediate symptoms of a problem to identify the fundamental issue that led to it. By concentrating on the 'why' instead of just the 'what', Root Cause Analysis helps organizations prevent future occurrences and address systemic issues rather than merely treating the symptoms.

While determining what happened in an incident and summarizing workplace incidents are important aspects of incident management, they do not delve into the underlying reasons behind the problems. Similarly, calculating financial losses is a valuable outcome that might arise from the analysis but doesn’t directly relate to uncovering the root causes of issues. Understanding the root cause provides a more sustainable resolution to problems, allowing organizations to implement effective changes and improve processes.