Content by Matthew Barsalou
75 Years of FMEAs: 1949–2024How failure modes and effects analysis became commonplace
Wed, 02/14/2024 - 12:01
The FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis) turned 75 years old in 2024. However, a look at the literature may paint a different picture. Both the origin year of FMEAs and the name of the organization that developed FMEAs seem to vary among…
Empirical Root Cause Analysis for Human ErrorBecause people often can’t remember what they forgot
Mon, 01/22/2024 - 12:03
A root cause analysis (RCA) should be empirical; however, this can be difficult when dealing with human error. A typical human failure is a missed operation, such as when a process step isn’t carried out. This could mean a part wasn’t installed, a…
Ten Tips for Root Cause AnalysisDeciphering ‘squeak and rattle’ experiences
Mon, 01/16/2023 - 12:03
A root case analysis is performed to identify “what, how, and why something happened, thus preventing reoccurrence” (“Root Cause Analysis for Beginners.” Rooney, J. J. and Vanden Heuvel, L. N. Quality Progress 37, 2004, p. 45). This can be difficult…
Combining Quality Tools for Effective Problem SolvingUsing the classic seven and the seven new
Mon, 10/23/2017 - 12:30
Quality tools can serve many purposes in problem solving. They may be used to assist in decision making, selecting quality improvement projects, and in performing root cause analysis. They provide useful structure to brainstorming sessions, for…
Root Cause Analysis: Not Out of the Mountains, YetDodging premature conclusions with 5 Whys
Mon, 06/26/2017 - 12:03
As you drive east on I-70 coming from the Rockies, there is a point where you seem to have stopped descending, but a sign says, “Trucks: Don’t be fooled. Four more miles of steep grades and sharp curves.” The message is that it would be premature to…
Empirical Root Cause Analysis, Part 2A method for empiricism
Wed, 06/07/2017 - 12:03
I n part one of this two-part series, I described the need for empiricism in root cause analysis (RCA). Now, I’ll explain how to achieve empiricism when performing a RCA by combining the scientific method and graphical explorations of data. The…
Empirical Root Cause Analysis, Part 1The need for empiricism
Tue, 06/06/2017 - 12:03
There are many reasons for performing a root cause analysis (RCA). These reasons include determining the cause of a failure in a product or a process as well for determining the root cause of the current level of performance when a product or…
Sherlock Holmes and Root Cause AnalysisLessons in RCA from a famous detective
Thu, 04/27/2017 - 12:02
Although not a quality guru, the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes took a methodical approach to problem solving that can be useful when applied to root cause analysis (RCA) during the investigation of a product or process failure. Sir Arthur…
A Worksheet for Ishikawa DiagramsA Perkin tracker combines the benefits of brainstorming with an action-item tracking list
Wed, 03/30/2016 - 14:55
The start of a failure investigation may involve brainstorming, but empirical methods will be required to actually identify a problem's cause. Implementing an improvement action without a confirmed root cause risks a reoccurrence of the issue…
Lean Six Sigma: 10 Objections and AnswersCan we stop calling it a fad now?
Tue, 10/13/2015 - 11:37
I gave a rather successful talk on communicating design of experiments (DoE) at the recent ENBIS 14 conference in Linz, Austria. Things went mostly well, but it’s also fair to say many attendees had one major criticism: I didn’t explain why one…