Root Cause Analysis
Deep-Sea
The deep-sea stands for the unknown that needs to be explored. The deeper we descend, the more unknowns can be found. At the bottom of the sea, there may be a treasure (knowledge/idea) waiting to be found. The “Deep Sea” template is divided into three areas. The seafloor with its solutions and findings, the dark deep sea and the (safe) surface.
Leading questions:
Prepare for the dive
- What do we really know right now?
- Why are we diving?
- What is the problem?
- What do we think we'll find at the bottom of the sea?
The dive
- What is the cause of the current situation X?
- What is the cause of this newly found situation Y?
- Let's dive again! Are there any other causes?
- What are the causes of this newly found situation?
- Have we reached the bottom (the end of the research into the causes)?
Bottom of the sea
- What can we bring up as knowledge?
- Is this our treasure?
- Are there any other treasures?
Slow ascent back to the surface
- What can we take with us as knowledge from the bottom of the sea?
- What do we do differently back on the surface?
- Are there intermediate steps (emergence) that we have to achieve before we are back on the surface?
- Do we have enough knowledge to improve something?
- What else do we take with us to the surface?
On the surface
- How are you after this dive?
- What do we tell our colleagues about this dive?
- Should we arrange to dive again?
You are safe back on the surface and can pat yourselves on the back. Good dive and many treasures recovered.