Which step is NOT part of a basic root cause analysis approach?

Which step is NOT part of a basic root cause analysis approach?

• A. Collect facts
• B. Identify contributing factors
• C. Apply 5 Whys or Ishikawa
• D. Immediately implement corrective actions without root cause

Answer: (D)

Root cause analysis starts by gathering facts about what happened and when, to build an evidence base. Then you look for contributing factors—conditions or actions that helped the incident occur. To drill down to the underlying cause, you use structured techniques like the 5 Whys or an Ishikawa diagram to trace the chain of events back to its root. Immediate corrective actions taken without this analysis don’t fit the process because they address symptoms rather than the true cause. Quick containment may be needed, but the corrective actions should be guided by what the analysis reveals about the root cause in order to prevent recurrence.

Root cause analysis starts by gathering facts about what happened and when, to build an evidence base. Then you look for contributing factors—conditions or actions that helped the incident occur. To drill down to the underlying cause, you use structured techniques like the 5 Whys or an Ishikawa diagram to trace the chain of events back to its root. Immediate corrective actions taken without this analysis don’t fit the process because they address symptoms rather than the true cause. Quick containment may be needed, but the corrective actions should be guided by what the analysis reveals about the root cause in order to prevent recurrence.