Root cause analysis, Lean Six Sigma and test of hypothesis
Abstract
Purpose
In implementing Six Sigma and/or Lean Six Sigma, a practitioner often faces a dilemma of how to select the subset of root causes from a superset of all possible potential causes, popularly known as root cause analysis (RCA). Generally one resorts to the cause and effect diagram for this purpose. However, the practice adopted for identification of root causes is in many situations quite arbitrary and lacks a systematic, structured approach based on the rigorous data driven statistical analysis. This paper aims at developing a methodology for validation of potential causes to root causes to aid practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
Discussion has been made on various methods for identification and validation of potential causes to root causes with the help of a few real life examples for effective Lean Six Sigma implementation.
Findings
The cause and effect diagram is the frequently adopted method for identifying potential causes out of a host of methods available for such identification. The method of validation depends on the practitioners’ knowledge on the relationship between cause and effect and controllability of the causes.
Originality/value
The roadmap thus evolved for the validation of root causes will be of great value to the practitioners as it is expected to help them understand the ground reality in an unambiguous manner resulting in a superior strategy for cause validation and corrective actions.
Keywords
Citation
Ashok Sarkar, S., Ranjan Mukhopadhyay, A. and Ghosh, S.K. (2013), "Root cause analysis, Lean Six Sigma and test of hypothesis", The TQM Journal, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 170-185. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542731311299609
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited