EA Books

Root Cause Analysis Simplified Tools and Techniques
Bjorn Andersen and Tom Fagerhaug, 2 e.
2006, ISBN: 9780873896924, 223 pages, $88

This book is a revised and updated edition. The authors’ intent was to provide a range of tools for root cause analysis in problem solving. In the updated version the authors revised the book to include solution implementation and a CD with the tools templates.

While most books on root cause analysis cover the theory and the concepts of the topic, this book presents, as the subtitle states, simplified tools and techniques that can be easily applied to any organization. This book is not designed for an academic study but is a practical guide to selection and application of tools for root cause analysis.

The layout of the book flows nicely so that if you had a particular problem that you were working on you could easily go through step by step to work on finding the root cause. Each tool is explained as follows: Purpose & Application, Steps needed in using the tools, an example, a checklist for using the tool correctly and finally a template. The template is also available to use on the CD supplied.

The last two chapters are on tool selection, with summary given with the advantages and disadvantages of each tool, and some example cases, which are both useful. This book would be useful for the beginner as a teaching aid or self learning tool for various techniques for problem solving, and the experienced practitioner in problem solving for reviewing their techniques and choosing a preferred tool for a particular application.

The examples allow you to select the tool for the situation you may face. The book is excellent for the number of tools it offers and the ease of following up the application of the tool. If you intended to use a particular tool you can easily find it with supporting explanation and templates.

I recommend the book for students and practitioners at all levels of an organization involved in problem solving.

Root Cause Analysis was reviewed by Gad Hakim, Senior Consultant – Project Management  at Connell Wagner.