Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
OIL AND GAS – BRIEFING DOCUMENT
What is RCA?
Root Cause Analysis uses logic to analyse
the cause-and-effect relationships of any event.
RCA is essentially performed to find solutions that
ensure undesirable events do not happen again.
Why RCA?
Increasingly, Root Cause Analysis is found to be integral
to professional discipline and industry sector standards.
Understanding and applying RCA is regarded an indicator of
best practice. In addition, many contracting organisations will
now have RCA as a key criterion in their tender requirements.
No organisation is problem-free. The systems we create
constantly need adjustment – sometimes in minor ways,
and sometimes through radical change. Problems and
problem-solving, i.e. Root Cause Analysis, show us
where to focus our process improvement efforts. How would the Oil
& Gas sector benefit?
Do we need to standardise
how we approach/solve
problems?
How will we benefit
from this?
We are very experienced
people – we already know
what the issues are – why
do we need a ‘process’?
Potential ‘areas’ to apply RCA
EH&S
Across all disciplines/areas, including Energy/Utilities
(onshore and offshore), including the underlying human issues.
Maintenance/reliability challenges
In-depth understanding of all causes of failures/downtime.
Contract non-conformance/administrative errors
Analytical approach, team-based, will also help eliminate
assumptions whilst demonstrating impartial/thorough investigations,
leading to effective/sustainable solutions.
CAPA
Ensuring effective identification of both corrective
and preventative actions.
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The problemsolving process
When we standardise the
problem-solving process,
we eliminate variability
and confusion.
Using a structured process allows us to:
Demonstrate rigour
Only evidence-based causes appear in a finished report.
When everyone speaks
the same language, we
are better positioned
to be an effective
learning organisation –
we communicate more
effectively and minimise
blame, embarrassment,
ego and defensiveness.
Ensure consistency
Standard protocols and reporting.
Everyone can focus on
using logic to solve
the problem. Identify truly effective ‘solutions’
Including implementation and effectiveness/sustainability!
Encourage transparency
Validated causes require solid evidence. Approved solutions can only
be associated with evidence-based causes.
Eliminate any risk of bias/assumptions
Be consistent with the organisation’s standards and procedures
Dedicated charting software allows this and ensures that resultant RCA
reports are consistent, including those from prime contractors.
Enable easy Senior Management overview of the process
This is facilitated by the use of an “enterprise version” of the dedicated
software. Furthermore, it facilitates trend analysis, together with identification
of repeat/common causes and any systemic issues within an organisation –
including within specific contracts or projects.
Why choose the Sologic RCA Method?
In summary: The Sologic Root Cause Analysis method is
universal, scalable, practical and intuitive for Root Cause
Analysis novices and experts alike.
It consists of logical, complete and accurate processes and
terminology that’s aligned with how the world actually works.
It has been specifically designed to take the focus away
from non-specific causes, opinion, blame and punishment by
shifting the focus to systemic causes, objectivity, collaboration
and data.
The 5 steps within the Sologic Process are:
1. Gather and manage data
2. Identify and agree on the problem’s focal point
3. Analyse cause and effect
The process is simple and the skills necessary for effective
Root Cause Analysis can be developed using this framework
and our carefully devised interactive training.
4. Identify solutions
5. Produce the final report
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Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
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Why choose the Sologic RCA Method?
Using our structured and methodical approach to understanding problems
through Root Cause Analysis will enable you to:
Document the impact
of the problem and
communicate the
business case for
resources
Generate solutions
that target
specific causes
Create a thorough
understanding of
what happened
Visually communicate
the causes of the
problem and their
interrelationships
Help separate facts
from supposition by
including supporting
evidence for causes
Identify high-quality,
lasting solutions
Provide a standardised
problem-solving
platform
Incorporate multiple
perspectives and
ensure everyone has
a reconciled view of
the problem
Applying an RCA methodology will also give you a tool for:
Effective employee
engagement
Mitigating against
politics and
hidden agendas
Clearly communicating
the findings to a larger
audience and enabling
everyone to speak the
same language
Identifying broader
systemic improvement
opportunities
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Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
OIL AND GAS – BRIEFING DOCUMENT
What our customers say:
“I recently attended one of Sologic’s RCA courses and can only describe it as
being fantastic. I can’t remember when I have gleaned so much information in
such a short period of time. Our instructor managed to hold the attention of all
participants for both days. Not an easy task considering the cross-section of
people attending. I would definitely recommend Sologic.”
Regional Programme
Manager
Global IT company
“Sologic delivered a two-day course on Root Cause Analysis that both myself
and the team found very valuable for our day-to-day roles, and will ensure that
we deliver solid business value. I would recommend Sologic to anyone who has
an interest in RCA.”
“Having carried out RCA training previously, I did not expect to gain a great
deal from the refresher training completed recently. I am pleased to say I was
completely wrong! Our instructor had real tenacity in ensuring every student
gained the maximum from the course – her coaching skills are the best I have
witnessed from any trainer. One of the most valuable courses I have attended
for many years.”
Risk Manager
NHS
Plant Manager
Process Industry
“Sologic delivered a two-day Root Cause Analysis Course, covering
the principles behind RCA, and cause-and-effect charting. Our trainer was
excellent, running a very engaging and informative course.”
“The Sologic team provided an excellent training programme for Root Cause
Analysis, facilitating timely implementation of a global RCA process across
the business. Their on-going attention and assistance was invaluable during
the implementation phase of the RCA process. Many issues have been
resolved as a result, and the business has, and continues to benefit greatly,
from the RCA knowledge imparted.”
Consultant
NHS
Plant Manager
Manufacturing
Industry
Asset Manager
Global Oil Operator
The Sologic training RCA course was excellent as it provided me with a long-term
framework on how to deal with problems and find solutions. It had an immediate
effect on my clinical practice. Since the course, I have introduced many quality
improvement programmes to the benefit of patients. Whilst many of these were
quite small changes in practice, both staff and patients have benefited. The RCA
training has enabled me to do exactly that – solve the root cause of problems.
I would recommend any health professional to attend the course, especially
those in leadership roles. www.rootcauseanalysistraining.co.uk
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
OIL AND GAS – BRIEFING DOCUMENT
Appendix 1. What does the output look like?
A. The Analysis phase:
How to read this example:
A Sologic cause-and-effect chart is read from left to
right (present to past). Connection lines indicate causal
relationships.
The company experienced customer complaints, which
were caused by customers being unable to access the
site, customers wanting to access the site, and customers
reporting the complaint to web support. Customers were
unable to access the site because the web server returned
“500” errors, “500” errors prevent access to the site, and
customers were attempting to access the site.
When a particular line of questioning is ending, an END
graphic is generated, as well as the reason for stopping.
Other cause paths will continue until the problem has been
sufficiently investigated. In the full version of the above chart,
you can see that the cause “Web server returned error (“500”type)” is further investigated, and many additional causes lie
to the right of that cause.
This chart is available to view in full on our website:
www.sologic.com/sites/default/files/root-cause-analysisexample-IT-customer-complaints_sm.pdf
Other RCA reports and charts can be viewed here:
www.sologic.com/resources/example-reports-charts-templates
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Appendix 1. cont.
B. The Solutions phase:
Once the cause-and-effect chart is completed, the team
examines all causes for solution opportunities, and evaluates
each solution against the Sologic solution criteria.
Next, the team selects solutions to implement and creates
a plan for implementation.
Solutions work by breaking the chain of causation. When
a cause is controlled, changed, or otherwise eliminated by
a solution, the causes that occurred to the left of that cause
are prevented from recurring in the same way. Sologic RCA
seeks to identify multiple opportunities for solutions in each
RCA, and a “root cause” is defined as a cause that has been
controlled with a solution. Selecting to implement solutions
for multiple causes reduces the overall risk of problem
recurrence. In the Customer Complaints example above,
the orange causes have selected solutions. You can see
how the causal chain would be broken.
Draws on the most advanced cause-and
-effect methods and best practices; at the
same time – it is simple, focused on steps
that deliver value and save time.
Universal, scalable, practical and intuitive
for RCA novices and experts alike.
Logical, complete.
C. The Solutions phase:
The final report is a summary of the analysis, to be shared
and stored so others may learn and benefit from the
knowledge gained by the RCA team.
Sologic Charting Software
It should include the problem statement, executive summary,
evidence for all causes, solutions (along with implementation
plans), team members, the cause-and-effect chart, and any
additional notes. Causelink helps to make producing and
sharing the final report quick, painless, thorough and clear.
Reports can be produced utilising Sologic’s proprietary
Causelink® software. This is a powerful partner
for conducting strategic root cause analyses and
investigations. Causelink is included in the cost
of the Sologic Facilitator training.
www.rootcauseanalysistraining.co.uk
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
OIL AND GAS – BRIEFING DOCUMENT
Appendix 2.
Examples of our customers and collaborators include:
Cargill
Total
Petrofac
Providers of food, agriculture, financial
and industrial products & services
Global oil and gas company
World-leading oilfield service company
Microsoft
E-on
Siemens
Global software provider
Global power & gas company
World-leading energy technology
provider
NOSA
CIA
HCF
Global supplier of occupational risk
management services & solutions
Organisation representing chemical
& pharmaceutical businesses across
the UK
Supporting the process, energy
& renewable industries
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