Auditing · professional practice · Technical definition

Root cause.

Also known as Root cause · RCA
Definition

Cause that explains why the system allowed a nonconformity, beyond its immediate manifestation. There may be several concurrent causes; the analysis must support them with evidence.

Nature

Operational definition

Further detail

The five whys can start the search, but they are no substitute for proof. The analysis ends when the organisation can link a verifiable cause to the observed failure and design an action capable of changing that condition.

Applied example

Acting on the apparent cause (the operator) predicts recurrence; acting on the system-level cause prevents it.

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