Root-Cause-Analysis Tools: Brainstorming
  “Brainstorming" is a                Phase 1: Find Ideas                   Phase 2: Sort and 
  frequently used tool -              The first step is to                  evaluate
  but it is just as often             search for ideas in a                 After a break, all 
  used incorrectly or                 moderated group                       ideas are now read 
  ineffectively.                      session. All                          out by the 
                                      participants are asked                moderator and 
  To get useful results               to name topics                        discussed, 
  from a brainstorming                spontaneously if                      evaluated and 
  session, you should                 possible. These are                   sorted by the 
  follow a structured and             noted on individual                   participants. At first, 
  moderated process.                  pieces of paper or                    this is only about 
  Brainstorming in                    cards.                                thematic 
  Root Cause Analysis                 All thoughts are                      connections and 
                                      allowed. It is forbidden                         screening for business health
  is applicable when                                                        sorting out ideas 
  facing Problem                      to criticize, reject or               that are not relevant 
  types of simple                     evaluate ideas.                       to the problem
  complexity.                                                                
                  Root-Cause-Analysis Tools: Brainstorming (cont.)
                 To run an effective Brainstorming session, you should stick to 7 basic 
                 principles:
  Save the details                                                             Numbers and Names
              Save the details for the end of the                                   Number and name the ideas so that 
        brainstorming session. Avoid discussing                                     they can be referred to again and 
      the benefits of an idea in too much detail                                    again in the subsequent discussion 
      in the beginning. This can rob the idea of                   03
     its energy right from the start and prevent                                    without losing the overview.
  Boss at the end             further suggestions         02                04      Spread (physically)
                      The safest way to make a                                         Spread as many flipcharts or 
           brainstorming fail is to let the boss                                        05
                                                                02                     tables around the room as 
           talk first. Employees do not want to                               05       possible so that participants can 
      Focus                          contradict.       01                              write down ideas (without 
      Define the task or problem precisely with                                        having to stand in front of the 
      a targeted statement and make sure that                                          whole group).
        the participants do not deviate from the             07         06       Physically active
       topic. The first step in solving a problem                                Use other tools that stimulate other 
          is always to clearly define the starting                               parts of the brain: modelling clay, 
        Maximum 60 Minutes                position.                              building blocks, play figures, tape, 
             No brainstorming should last more than 60 minutes.                  glue or scissors. Build your ideas. 
                A topic should be discussed for a maximum of 25                                        screening for business health
                   minutes - after that you should take a break. If 
                 necessary, take another 25 minutes afterwards.
                 Root-Cause-Analysis Tools: 5 Whys
  The 5 Why’s Analysis is 
  a simple tool for drilling          Customers rate                 Problem
  down on the problem             service Quality low
  statement until the root 
  cause is identified                                                1. Why                Because our response
  asking “WHY” 5 times.                                                                    time for service inquires
                                                                     2. Why                is to long
  It is applicable when             Because we don’t
  you are looking at             have enough people                  3. Why
                                   working in Service                                       The number of customer 
  one major cause and                                                                       problems was clearly 
  if it needs drill down                                             4. Why                 underestimated
                       The product still has numerous
  to arrive at one root 
  cause                teething troubles and was not                 5. Why       Root Cause
                              yet ready for the market                                     There was no systematic 
  Avoid intentional or                                                                    end-user testing before 
     unintentional bias                                                                    the product was launched
     while answering
  Find the right person 
                                                                                                screening for business health
     who can answer
  Use other Tools 
     complementary
               Root-Cause-Analysis Tools: 5 Whys (Example II)
   The 5 Why’s Analysis is 
                             Failures in Products are                  Problem
   a simple tool for drilling 
   down on the problem          2 times the industry 
   statement until the root                  average 
   cause is identified                                                 1. Why                 There is often damage
   asking “WHY” 5 times.                                                                      in transit
                                                                       2. Why
   It is applicable when               Packaging is
   you are looking at                    insufficient                  3. Why
                                                                                              Packaging specifications
   one major cause and                                                                        are incomplete
   if it needs drill down                                              4. Why
   to arrive at one root  There are no technical
   cause                            specifications for                 5. Why       Root Cause
                          packaging in the company                                             No holistic
   Avoid intentional or                                                                       Quality Strategy
     unintentional bias 
     while answering
   Find the right person 
                                                                                                  screening for business health
     who can answer
   Use other Tools 
     complementary
                                Root-Cause-Analysis Tools: 5 Whys (cont.)
                                    1                           2                            3
                               Agree on                     Execute                       Check                         4
   The                                                         the                         the                         Fix 
                                Problem                       Whys                        Cause                         it
   Process of 
   the 5 Whys 
   is often              Until and unless you                                    Determine if a Cause is 
                          define the problem                                     the Actual Root Cause.       Fixing the problem 
   subdivided            properly, solving it is    Check one layer at a          Every time you come        alone is not going to 
   in 4 main             going to be an uphill          time and keep             across a cause, stop         give you the real 
                        task. Spend some time  shooting a “Why” as  there and take some time  value. Pay attention 
   steps:                                             soon as you come           to analyze if that is the    to fixing the error 
                         ensuring that you’ve                                       root cause or not.
                         defined the problem         across a problem at  You may have to repeat  and the cause so you 
                        well. The detailed your           every level.           Step 2 & 3 a couple of      a prevent any future 
                            definition of the                                   times before coming to a      occurrences of the 
                        problem is, the easier                                         conclusion                   problem.
                        will be for you to solve                                    about the actual 
                                   it.                                                 root cause.              screening for business health