How to Get Amazing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Results FAST
- JD Solomon
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Organizations are often frustrated in finding workable solutions because of the time and resources required for complex problem-solving. Some do not have a viable process. Others simply do not know how to start. The proven FAST– Frame, Analyze, Solve, and Transmit – approach to root cause analysis (RCA) enables organizations to find workable solutions to their most difficult problems. And, most importantly, the approach allows organization leaders to find the right solutions in a format that is understandable for decision makers and implementation teams.
From the Real World
As the interim town manager, I inherited two billing problems with our largest industrial customers that cost us $1M each. The parks and recreation department recently had a handful of problems booking special events that had generated many customer complaints. Plus (and of course), there were the normal issues with delivering capital projects.
“I think we need to do some formal root cause analysis,” I explained to the Director of Engineering.
“Doesn’t that take a lot of time?” he asked.
“Yes, but I have an approach that I have used successfully with several clients,” I replied.
On the first and third Friday morning for three months, we evaluated past problems using the FAST approach. Obviously, different departments and frontline staff were involved with each. Less obviously, there was quite a bit of personnel overlap and a handful of fixes that were common to most issues.
In the end, the approach was successful because we wiped away many of the misconceptions (and blame) and were able to fix some pivotal cultural and managerial issues.
Key Benefits of the FAST Approach
Fast has six key benefits:
Effective use of staff time
Identification of 3 to 5 practical solutions
Ease of communication
Repeatable process
Active support from implementation teams
Transferrable to other organization issues
Four Key Tools
The FAST approach uses four key tools that are among the universe of available tools and techniques in management systems. The structured, consistent application of the FAST approach enables it useable for a variety of complex problems – whether business processes or troubled equipment – in a repeatable manner.
Problem Statement (Frame)
Without a clear frame, even the most sophisticated models, visuals, or facilitation techniques will fall short. The “F” in the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram® stands for Frame, and it is the foundation for amazing root cause analysis and effective communication with senior management.
Causal Factor Timeline
A causal factor timeline is a chronological reconstruction of all events, conditions, and actions leading up to an incident, built from evidence gathered early in an investigation. Its purpose is to establish what happened, when it happened, and how each event contributed, so investigators can then identify causal and contributing factors.
Reliability Block Diagram (Workflow)
A block diagram is a diagram that shows the operation, interrelationships, and interdependencies of components in a system. There are two types of block diagrams. One is a functional block diagram, which shows a system’s subsystems and lower-level interrelationships. The other is a reliability block diagram, which is similar to the functional block diagram but modified to emphasize those aspects influencing reliability, or the probability of something performing its intended function under stated conditions, without failure, for a given period of time. (American Society for Quality, 2022).
FINESSE Fishbone Diagram®
The FINESSE Fishbone Diagram® is a structured visual tool that organizes communication issues and opportunities across the seven FINESSE elements—Frame, Illustrate, Noise Reduction, Empathy, Structure, Synergy, and Ethics—to improve clarity, credibility, and audience understanding.
[Solomon, J. D. (2023). Communicating with FINESSE: The practical guide to technical and regulatory communication. Three Degrees of Learning.]
FAST is Applicable
As a root cause analysis tool, FAST is applicable:
When looking for a few key solutions to your biggest problems, or
When personnel have limited availability, but solutions are required by decision makers, or
When leadership changes have occurred and an understanding of the operation is needed, or
When seeking to avoid unintended consequences, or
When seeking to build cohesion and improve morale among front-line staff
More From the Real World
It was my third root cause analysis at this particular client site. I noticed three names that were common to this assignment and the previous two.
Ironically, that same afternoon, I received an email from one of the three.
“I have pulled down and printed all of my emails and texts,” the message began. “I knew you were going to ask for them. If ok, I will bring them to the meeting. I have developed a great timeline from them already. Would you like to see that now or later?”
The email made me grin. The outcome of the root cause analysis is partially about finding the root causes and a few viable solutions for the future. It’s also about changing the culture. To do that, the process must be understandable and repeatable for frontline staff. FAST was taking hold in actionable ways.
Get Amazing Root Cause Analysis Results Fast
An obvious meaning of fast is moving or capable of moving at high speed. Fast also means firmly fixed or immovable (“the ship was held fast by the anchor chain”) or not fading or changing (“fast colors”). The FAST approach, as a root cause analysis process, can be applied efficiently while its solutions are non-fading and solid.
JD Solomon is the founder of JD Solomon, Inc., the creator of the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram®, and the co-creator of the SOAP criticality method©. He is the author of Communicating Reliability, Risk & Resiliency to Decision Makers: How to Get Your Boss’s Boss to Understand and Facilitating with FINESSE: A Guide to Successful Business Solutions.
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