True Detective – Finding True Root Cause through Interrogation Techniques
Eldon Kao
Finding the true root cause is imperative to correctly identifying deficiencies and subsequently developing effective solutions. No matter the Root Cause Analysis technique employed while conducting Kaizen Events, there should always be a conscious effort to challenge the initial root cause hypothesis. What makes this task difficult is that often Project Leaders or Investigators are not Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Therefore, every great investigator should have some additional interrogation skills in their toolbox to help ensure that they cull the right information.
The key to finding true root cause is to realize that every testimonial implicates someone or something that has an owner. Therefore, sometimes SMEs may protect their own interest if the true root cause does not favor them or their process.