Understanding Root Cause Analysis - Fishbone Diagram

Sep 12, 2026

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Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a structured investigation process used to determine fundamental underlying causes behind an incident, problem, concern, or non-conformity. It is distinct from incident management and immediate corrective action, and it focuses on preventing recurrence by putting processes, procedures, activities, conditions, and behaviours right. The guide outlines key RCA steps, clarifies when RCA is required within BRC Global Standards, and introduces methods including the 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time7 min

AccessFree to download

What is Root Cause Analysis?

Steps to Root Cause Analysis

Where in the Standard is RCA Required?

Food Standard Issue 6: Clause Requirements

How to Complete Root Cause Analysis?

Methods of Root Cause Analysis

The ‘5 Whys’

Fishbone Diagrams

Common Mistakes

Unmanageable Conclusions

Duplication of Immediate Corrective Action

Preventative Action

Additional Documentation

Glossary of Terms

Appendices

Inclusion of Root Cause Analysis in the Audit Report

‘5 Whys’ Route Cause Analysis Template

Fishbone Diagram Template

Understanding Root Cause Analysis BRC Global Standards 6/1/2012 Contents 1. What is Root Cause Analysis? ................................................................................................... 1 2. Where in the Standard is RCA Required?................................................................................ 3 3. How to Complete Root Cause Analysis?.................................................................................. 3 4. Methods of Root Cause Analysis............................................................................................... 5 4.1 The ‘5 Whys’:.............................................................................................................................. 5 4.2 Fishbone Diagrams: .................................................................................................................. 7 5. Common Mistakes ....................................................................................................................... 9 5.1 Unmanageable Conclusions .................................................................................................... 9 5.2 Duplication of the Immediate Corrective Action .................................................................. 10 5.3 People ....................................................................................................................................... 11 5.4 Proposed Action Plan Doesn’t Prevent Re-occurrence..................................................... 12 5.5 Extra Checks ............................................................................................................................ 14 6. Preventative Action .................................................................................................................... 14 7. Additional Documentation ......................................................................................................... 15 8. Glossary of Terms ...................................................................................................................... 15 9. Appendices.................................................................................................................................. 16 9.1 Inclusion of Root Cause Analysis in the Audit Report ....................................................... 16 9.2 ‘5 Whys’Route Cause Analysis Template........................................................................... 18 9.3 Fishbone Diagram Template.................................................................................................. 19 1. What is Root Cause Analysis? Root cause analysis is a problem solving process for conducting an investigation into an identified incident , problem, concern or non-conformity. Root cause analysis is a completely separate process to incident management and immediate corrective action, although they are often completed in close proximity. Root cause analysis (RCA) requires the investigator(s) to look beyond the solution to the immediate problem and understand the fundamental or underlying cause(s) of the situation and put them right, thereby preventing re-occurrence of the same issue. This may involve the identification and management of processes, procedures, activities, inactivity, behaviours or conditions. The benefits of comprehensive root cause analysis include: 􀁸 Identification of permanent solutions 􀁸 Prevention of recurring failures 􀁸 Introduction of a logical problem solving process applicable to issues and nonconformities of all sizes Steps to Root Cause Analysis Step 1 Define the Non-Conformity Step 2 Investigate the Root Cause Step 3 Create Proposed Action Plan & Define Timescales Step 4 Implement Proposed Action Step 5 Verification & Monitoring of Effectiveness It should be noted that this is a simplified process flow, which is typical of the majority of situations required

FAQs

What is Root Cause Analysis and what does it focus on?

Root Cause Analysis is a problem-solving investigation into an incident, problem, concern, or non-conformity. It focuses on underlying fundamental causes rather than only addressing the immediate problem.

How is RCA different from incident management and immediate corrective action?

RCA is a separate process from incident management and immediate corrective action, though they may be performed close together. RCA aims to prevent recurrence by correcting root causes.

What RCA methods are introduced in the document?

The document presents the ‘5 Whys’ method and fishbone diagrams as key RCA approaches. It also provides template references for both methods in the appendices.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Rizky