Innovative Root Cause Analysis: A RATIOnal and robust approach to address your recurring and/or chronic problems

As long as it is a one-off failure, this is perfectly normal.
However, when it comes to recurring problems in relation to an established level of performance, a failure with very serious consequences or the need to obtain a higher level of performance, more in-depth analyses are essential.  

• Reflect: For a given problem, before committing too quickly to a particular course of action, review the context, organise all available information, establish interdependencies, prioritise and determine the most relevant approach for the next steps.
• Analyse: For each significant cause-effect chain, describe the problem fully, identify possible causes and prove the cause.
• Find: For causes that must and can be eliminated, determine objectives, identify possible actions and choose between actions. 
• Implement: For the selected solutions, establish an action plan, do a risk analysis if necessary and implement.
• Observe: Evaluate the results and approach, decide if further action is required and standardise.

After a complete presentation of this approach, participants receive an in-depth training on Event Mapping, a key tool for the global evaluation of a problem and the follow-up of its resolution by step, root cause analysis and human factors analysis, a powerful methodological tool for dealing with human errors.

This training is resolutely practical training, these methods are applied through a large number of case studies relating in particular to problems in connection with maintenance, quality and industrial performance.

This training is given over two consecutive days, followed by a third day scheduled after a period of approximately one month. The objective of this organisation is to allow participants to apply what they have learned in their own professional context for some time so that they can provide feedback on the third day.  On the third day, the methods taught are reviewed in the light of this feedback and some additional tools are introduced and developed.

The RATIO approach :

• promotes continuous improvement ;
• is compatible with Six Sigma, Deming, Kaizen or Lean approaches;
• is based on proven and particularly robust problem-solving methods;
• uses practical tools and models that make it easy to apply;
• is easily applied to any kind of problem, in full or abridged form, by management teams or in the field.

Participants are trained in a step-by-step approach, i.e. a 'systematic' way of thinking about analysing and resolving faults.
Among other things, the approach taught enables them to obtain answers to the following questions:

• What questions should I ask to make sure I collect all the information needed to solve the fault?
• What is the best (visual) way to record all the information about a fault so that it is understood by everyone?
• How can I, if necessary, pass on information about a not yet completely solved breakdown to a colleague, without him having to start the analysis again?
• How can I determine the exact cause of the fault on the basis of the information available, without falling into a trial and error approach?
• How can I determine the best action to take to permanently eliminate the cause of the breakdown?

At the beginning of the workshop there will be an exchange of participants' current experiences. In addition, by means of a practical exercise, the participants are made aware of their own way of solving problems. Then, the RATIO approach is taught step by step, alternating between theoretical parts and practical training based on case studies, in order to acquire a first level of competence in the implementation of the concepts taught. Participants are provided with a comprehensive course material and, to facilitate the application of the methods in their own company, advanced Excel templates are provided at the end of the course.

This method has gained ground in recent years. By combining online and offline learning, a course is better and, above all, more effective. The participant gets to know the aspects of iRCA at his own pace.  During the sessions with the other participants (days 1 + 2 + 3), this is an opportunity to go into more detail, ask relevant questions and exchange experiences.  

E-learning module: 

• Get to know and practice the methods at your own pace; 
• permanently available;
• 12 months included in the application process

Indoor training (3 full days) : 

• Sharing knowledge and experience with other participants;
• Jointly apply the methods to your own dysfunctions;
• Deepen the concepts with your trainer; 
• Ask all your questions.

• Step 1: As a preparation, as soon as you have registered for this training, you will receive a link and learn about the basic aspects of the iRCA methodology via the online platform.
   
• Step 2: Days 1 and 2 of the training - Innovative Root Cause Analysis
  • During these 2 days, the theory behind the iRCA method is discussed in more detail
  • The exercises make the method clear
  • The method is applied to your own case
     
• Step 3: Independent case development, supported by e-learning
  • Business case developed in more detail 
  • Information from the online platform confirms this
  • If necessary, you can call on the trainer for feedback
     
• Step 4: Day 3: Feedback session after a few weeks 
  • On this day you receive feedback on the case and ask questions to the trainer and other participants
  • Special attention to iRCA human factors
     
• Step 5: Application and operation
  • At the end of the process you apply the method in your own organisation
  • Access to the online platform remains available 1 year after the start of the application process
  • If necessary, you can call on the trainer for feedback.

The training is intended for all maintenance and production managers responsible for the operation of the installations.
It is also an ideal training for professionals who have to deal with complex or recurrent failures, such as reliability engineers and maintenance engineers.

Pascal Pourbaix is a Mechanical Civil Engineer (AIMs) and expert consultant in Maintenance & Reliability. He has more than 20 years of experience in "Reliability and Tooling Improvements", "Project & Process Engineering", "Maintenance & Reliability" with companies such as I-Care, Allied Reliability, Cofely Fabricom GDF Suez Group, Sovitec and Cockerill-Sambre. Director of ARKADIUM SRL, he is also a regular trainer at BEMAS, a consultant for I-Care and a certified trainer for the "Innovative Root Cause Analysis" (iRCA) methodology of CoThink.