RCA (Root Cause Analysis)

Subjects

The following subjects will be discussed about RCA:

• RCA Event Map

• RCA Action list

• RCA Problem analysis

• RCA Human Performance Analysis

• RCA Conclusions and recommendations

• RCA Reports

Introduction

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a structured, step by step, technique that focuses itself in finding the underlying cause of a problem and how to deal with it. It is a process to easily identify what causes the problem and to ensure that a permanent solution to this problem can be found.

The main goal of an analysis of the underlaying cause of a problem is to know:

• What happened?

• Why did it happen?

• What can be done to ensure that the problem doesn't occur again?

RCA as a methodology will briefly be discussed here. We would like to refer to our RCA training for a more detailed look into the methodology. For more information, go to: www.aveva.com.

The RCA module is an optional module that can be acquired separately. After Activating optional modules the module can be accessed by clicking the menu:   and selecting RCA Projects.

The RCA Projects window has an overview of all the RCA models that have been created.

The window RCA Projects

The window is shown as a list format where each row represents a different project.

By clicking the 'New' button, Asset Strategy Optimization opens a new screen in which you can define the RCA properties, Event Maps, Actions, Problem analysis,  Human performance analysis, Balance of consequences and Conclusions.

The RCA process starts by mapping all of the different properties in the RCA model:

The top part of the screen to define the different properties of the RCA project.

The screen is divided into 3 parts:

1. In the top part of the screen you specify the context of your RCA model. You should ask yourself the following questions:

• Name: What is a recognizable and unique name for my RCA model?

• Description: A brief description of the RCA model.

• Why: Why do I need this RCA?

• Purpose: What do I want to achieve with this RCA?

• Benefits target: What do I want to do with the result of the RCA?

• Key deliverables: What does the RCA bring me?

• KPI tracker (monitoring/evaluation): What performance indicators are important to measure my business objectives?

• KPI approach (measure/reporting method): How am I going to measure these performance indicators?

• Keywords: Choose a 'Failure mechanism' and a 'Subdivision' from the ISO14224 standard as a distinguishing mark. Remarks can be defined free of choice.

  

  
  The middle and bottom part of the input screen from an RCA project to define the different properties of a project

  2. In the center part of the screen you can define the dynamic properties of the model:

     • Link an event-code to the model

     • Asset reference: a functional location of the system on which the RCA was performed. This field can be used in two different ways:

  3. Used as a free field: fill in a reference to any Asset you would like as free text. Useful when the Asset is not part of the FMECA tree.

  4. Refer to an asset in the FMECA tree:  In order to make this reference, you open the FMECA tree, search for the desired asset  and select the option RCA > Link Asset to RCA project; followed by selecting the appropriate RCA Project and clicking on Link Asset to RCA project; do not forget to save your chances by clicking the  OK button.
     
     You can directly navigate to the asset in the FMECA tree by using the arrow-button in the RCA screen after you have made the connection to the asset
     
     Linking an Asset in the tree to an RCA project

     • the type of function which your model refers to

     • the status of your RCA project

     Important: A closed RCA model can not be modified or removed!

  5. In the lower part of the screen, the button can be used to add persons who are involved with the project. For every person you can indicate the role they have in the project.

     • Problem owner

     • Expert

     • Facilitator

     • Principal

     Use the 'Apply' button to save the data of the model you entered.

     Use the 'OK' button to save the data of the model you entered and to return to the screen showing the RCA projects list.

     Use the 'Cancel' button if you don't want to save the data you entered and to return to the screen with the RCA projects list .

     RCA projects/models can be modified by selecting the existing project and clicking the 'Edit' button.

     It is also possible to delete, import or export your model in addition to the previous options.

By using the button 'Action list'  it is possible to generate a report of all the actions within all of the different projects. This overview can be exported to Excel by using the button 'Excel export'. The overview consists of the same data as the Action list screen.

Importing and Exporting RCA models

You may export and import RCA models in a Asset Strategy Optimization specific format, for back-up reasons, or to exchange models with other Asset Strategy Optimization users. To export an RCA model, follow these steps:

6. Open the RCA module

7. Select an RCA model in the list

8. Select Export in the menu

9. Choose a location on your hard disk where to store the model

10. Confirm

    Note: When you try to import an RCA from an older version of Asset Strategy Optimization, you will get a warning message that  this is an old type of model you are importing. You can click 'OK' to continue and the RCA will be imported and converted. (Missing or incomplete fields will be converted into standard values) or  'Cancel' to stop importing the RCA project.