Cause/Effect Analysis

31 December 2004

This graphical “bottom-up” predictive or diagnostic analytical tool is used to explore the root causes or factors that contribute to positive or negative effects or outcomes. The categories can include environment, budget, time, and any other resource factors pertinent to the end effect. The most typical form is the Ishikawa or Fishbone Diagram. One should particularly seek out the Root Causes by continually asking "Why?"

Mother Goose may have devised the first Root Cause Analysis:

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost,

For want of a shoe, the horse was lost,

For want of a horse, the rider was lost,

For want of a rider, the battle was lost,

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost,

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. 

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