2.2.3 Removing root causes
The key is to remove the cause of a problem. Sometimes this is called the "Echo".
Have you ever made a decision that seemed to resolve a problem but it turned out to cause more new problems than you ever thought possible? Some decisions cause a ripple or echo that absorbs a lot more time and effort to resolve. The aim is to make decisions that remove the echoes. To do this, concentrate on the major causes of problems. Remove these causes and a number of related problems should be removed without an echo.
Involvement of others in addressing causes of problems is essential. "Root Causes" are those problems that, if removed, solve a number of related problems. No manager can expect to identify all problems and trace all root causes. This is possible, however, with assistance of staff. Seeking assistance from staff to find root causes has the added benefit to the communication process that it enables staff to understand the problems and why their removal is important.
Figure 3 Circle chart for inventing options
Depicted above is a figure showing how we can systematically address problems and make decisions that will work in our workplace. Loosely based on the PDCA qualitative decision making cycle, the approach provides a systematic framework that can be applied across many workplace problems.
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