Root Cause Analysis Template
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method to identify the root causes of a problem, a defect, or a roadblock. This is a great exercise for startups, entrepreneurs and established companies looking for ways they can solve a problem in their industry. By asking a series of “why” questions, the root cause analysis template helps you peel back the layers and attempt to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.
With Xtensio’s Root Cause Analysis Template, you can:
- Create a concise analysis to help align different departments on real problems in your organization.
- Identify areas of focus for short and long-term actions to address these problems.
- Maximize the impact and effectiveness of your team’s work with a concrete understanding of risks and roadblocks your company faces.
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Xtensio is your team space for beautiful living documents.
Create, manage and share business collateral, easily.
Join the 190,370 changemakers.
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method to identify the root causes of a problem, a defect, or a roadblock.
This is a great exercise for startups, entrepreneurs and established companies looking for ways they can solve a problem in their industry. By asking a series of “why” questions, the root cause analysis template helps you peel back the layers and attempt to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.
With Xtensio’s Root Cause Analysis Template, you can:
- Create a concise analysis to help align different departments on real problems in your organization.
- Identify areas of focus for short and long-term actions to address these problems.
- Maximize the impact and effectiveness of your team’s work with a concrete understanding of risks and roadblocks your company faces.
BONUS: Read the root cause analysis how-to guide
Related how-to guides and free templates!
Variations on the Root Cause Analysis
How to create a root cause analysis with Xtensio
- Click and start editing, no account or credit card required.
Follow along with the instructional root cause analysis details. Add charts, graphs, images, and videos to customize the root cause analysis template and make it your own. Drag & drop. Resize. It’s the easiest editor ever.
- Customize everything in the root cause analysis template to match your brand.
To get started, define your style guide. Add your (or your client’s) brand fonts and colors. You can even pull colors directly from a website to easily brand your root cause analysis and more.
- Work on the root cause analysis template together on the cloud.
Add colleagues (or clients) to collaborate on the root cause analysis template. Changes automatically save and sync across all devices, in real-time.
- Share a link. Present a slideshow. Embed. Download a PDF/PNG.
The root cause analysis template seamlessly adapts to your workflow. No more jumping from tool-to-tool to design different types of deliverables.
- Reuse and repurpose.
Save your own root cause analysis templates. Or copy and reuse in other documents.
What is a root cause analysis?
When an entrepreneur pitches an idea, the first question asked is “What problem are you solving?” In order to gain traction, a product or service must fill a need for its customers. In social entrepreneurship or “changemaking” work, the rule is the same: any new idea must address a documented need and have a strong logic model behind it, leaving no cause of the problem unchecked.
It’s no longer enough to ask “What problem am I trying to solve?” Now we need to ask “What is causing this problem?” We need to peel back the layers and attempt to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. Root cause analysis (RCA) is a method to identify the root cause and effect of a problem, a defect, or a roadblock.
How do you write a root cause analysis?
Before asking why, you need to determine what the problem is that you’re trying to solve by analyzing the cause and effect relationships. Once you identify evidence of the problem, you can look into why it’s happening with a series of why questions.
- Start by naming a symptom, or evidence that there is a problem aka root causes. For example, our company’s net revenue has gone down.
- Then think about the basic reason; ask why this is occurring. Sales remain high, but profit margins have gone down.
- Then ask why again. We lowered our prices in order to compete with a new company. Or, the cost of materials has increased.
- Continue asking why until you’ve uncovered insights that weren’t apparent to you before. Follow different “roots” to discover alternate possibilities. Investigate both deeply and widely to ensure that you have a handle on the complexity of the problem and its interrelated causes.
Related to the Root Cause Analysis Template
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What would I use the root cause analysis template for?
Root cause analysis is a problem-solving strategy that allows you to dig deep into the origins of a problem and identify opportunities for preventing the problem from happening. This is a great exercise for startups, entrepreneurs and established companies looking for ways they can solve a problem in their industry.
Do you have any example root cause analysis templates?
Yes! We have a couple of root cause analysis examples above that you can use as a starting point for your own. If you find a style you like, use it for your inspiration.
What are the 6 steps of a root cause analysis?
Once you’ve identified a problem, you can then start by asking ‘why’ this problem exists and naming symptoms. You’ll continue asking ‘why’ until you’ve uncovered insights that weren’t apparent to you before.
Can I add colleagues to edit the root cause analysis template?
Yes! You can invite as many people as you’d like to collaborate on your root cause analysis and more. As a platform, Xtensio helps improve the way your team works.
How do I share my root cause analysis?
Choose your file format. Present it as a full-screen digital slideshow, share it as a responsive web link or export it as a PDF (customize the PDF size) or PNG.
Do you have other tools for product-market fit?
We do! There are a number of different templates, examples and resources to guide you through the process of establishing and growing your company. Check out Xtensio for Startups to find more tools and resources.
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