{domain:"www.qualitydigest.com",server:"169.47.211.87"} Skip to main content

User account menu
Main navigation
  • Topics
    • Customer Care
    • FDA Compliance
    • Healthcare
    • Innovation
    • Lean
    • Management
    • Metrology
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
    • Six Sigma
    • Standards
    • Statistics
    • Supply Chain
    • Sustainability
    • Training
  • Videos/Webinars
    • All videos
    • Product Demos
    • Webinars
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Submit B2B Press Release
    • Write for us
  • Metrology Hub
  • Training
  • Subscribe
  • Log in
Mobile Menu
  • Home
  • Topics
    • 3D Metrology-CMSC
    • Customer Care
    • FDA Compliance
    • Healthcare
    • Innovation
    • Lean
    • Management
    • Metrology
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
    • Six Sigma
    • Standards
    • Statistics
    • Supply Chain
    • Sustainability
    • Training
  • Login / Subscribe
  • More...
    • All Features
    • All News
    • All Videos
    • Contact
    • Training

Sherlock Holmes and Root Cause Analysis

Lessons in RCA from a famous detective

We can learn a lot about root cause analysis from Sherlock Holmes. Indubitably.
Matthew Barsalou
Thu, 04/27/2017 - 12:02
  • Comment
  • RSS

Social Sharing block

  • Print
  • Add new comment
Body

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a British physician who created the character Sherlock Holmes. Doyle published 56 short stories and four novels between 1886–1893 and 1903–1927. In addition to Doyle’s original stories, countless authors, including Mark Twain, have also tried their hand at writing Sherlock Holmes stories, and the detective has featured in radio serials, films, and video games.

While enjoying Sherlock Holmes’ adventures, quality professionals can pick up tips for performing root cause analysis. Here are a few from several of Doyle’s stories.

The Copper Beeches

“‘Data! data! data!’ he cried impatiently. ‘I can’t make bricks without clay.’”

 …

Want to continue?
Log in or create a FREE account.
Enter your username or email address
Enter the password that accompanies your username.
By logging in you agree to receive communication from Quality Digest. Privacy Policy.
Create a FREE account
Forgot My Password

Comments

Submitted by Alan Metzel on Thu, 04/27/2017 - 12:03

Excellent

I have not lived for years with Sherlock Holmes for nothing.

Dr. John Watson

-The Hounds of the Baskervilles

  • Reply

Add new comment

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
Please login to comment.
      

© 2025 Quality Digest. Copyright on content held by Quality Digest or by individual authors. Contact Quality Digest for reprint information.
“Quality Digest" is a trademark owned by Quality Circle Institute Inc.

footer
  • Home
  • Print QD: 1995-2008
  • Print QD: 2008-2009
  • Videos
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write for us
footer second menu
  • Subscribe to Quality Digest
  • About Us
  • Contact Us