022 Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Guide the identification of root causes, not symptoms, for a framed problem, using Five Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa), Current Reality Tree, and constraint identification. This is an interactive SKILL.

What is covered in this Skill?

• Five Whys for a linear causal chain from a symptom to a root cause
• Fishbone (Ishikawa) for categorized candidate causes across multiple dimensions
• Current Reality Tree for interconnected causes and effects with a small number of core problems
• Constraint identification for the limiting factor holding the current state in place
• Choosing the technique(s) proportionate to the problem's complexity
• Feeding root-cause findings into 023-assumption-analysis and the remaining Functional Specification lenses

Constraints

Distinguish root causes from symptoms before recommending a fix. When this technique is orchestrated by another workflow, the orchestrator owns clarifying-question sequencing; when applied standalone, ask directly.

• MUST read references/022-root-cause-analysis.md before applying Root Cause Analysis guidance
• MUST distinguish a symptom (an observed effect) from a root cause (the condition that produces it)
• MUST apply Five Whys as a chain of "why" questions grounded in evidence from the problem frame, not assumption
• MUST apply Fishbone to organize candidate causes into categories (for example people, process, technology, environment) when more than one causal dimension is plausible
• MUST apply Current Reality Tree when multiple symptoms may share one or a small number of core problems connected by cause-effect relationships
• MUST identify the constraint limiting the current state, not only the most visible cause
• MUST NOT invent a root cause when the available evidence is vague or ambiguous; flag the gap for a clarifying question instead

When to use this skill

• Find the root cause of this problem
• Apply Five Whys to this issue
• Build a Fishbone diagram for this problem
• Use Current Reality Tree to connect these symptoms
• Identify the constraint limiting the current state
• Draft the Root Cause Analysis section of a Functional Specification

Workflow

• Read the Reference

Read references/022-root-cause-analysis.md, then identify the symptom(s) evidenced by the problem frame.

• Apply Five Whys

Chain "why" questions from the symptom toward an evidenced root cause, stopping when further "why" steps would require guessing.

• Apply Fishbone When Multiple Dimensions Are Plausible

Organize candidate causes into categories when more than one causal dimension (people, process, technology, environment) is plausible.

• Apply Current Reality Tree When Symptoms Interconnect

Connect multiple symptoms to a small number of shared core problems through cause-effect relationships when the symptoms appear related.

• Identify the Constraint

Name the constraint limiting the current state, distinct from the most visible or most recently reported cause.

• Report the Root Cause Findings

Report findings using Five Whys, Fishbone, Current Reality Tree, and the identified constraint, and flag any finding left open pending a clarifying answer.

Reference

For detailed guidance, examples, and constraints, see references/022-root-cause-analysis.md.