Effective business problem-solving is a multifaceted process—one that goes well beyond addressing immediate symptoms by implementing quick fixes as solutions, without first examining the deeper, underlying issues. By taking the time to critically analyze each challenge to identify its root cause, you can create strategic and sustainable solutions.
A rigorous root cause analysis is built on a data driven principle —an approach that weaves through every step of the process. By systematically collecting quantitative metrics and qualitative insights, you can ground your understanding of challenges with tangible, measurable evidence. This data-centric mindset will clarify the context of the issues at hand and ensure that corrective actions are informed by reliable and actionable insights vs assumptions which can lead to the wrong solutions and wasted time.
Below is our evidence-based framework for root cause analysis that emphasizes a systematic, data-driven approach to ensure corrective actions are grounded in solid insight.
To start, it’s critical to pinpoint the precise challenge at hand. Working closely with our clients we re-examine their assumptions and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that everyone agrees on what the core issue is. Once we have a clear definition of the problem, we can focus efforts to align those involved to the same objective.
Understanding the chronology of events that lead to the problem or issue is a key part of the analysis. You should seek answers to the question, “When did the problem first become apparent?” Mapping internal processes against a timeline of events will help identify any coinciding changes or disruptions—such as shifts in market conditions, internal restructuring, new technology or process flow updates—that could have acted as catalysts.
As change is inevitable in any organization, it is vital to understand how recent internal or external changes might have contributed to current challenges. You should question, “What significant changes were implemented before the issue emerged?” Whether it’s a process redesign, a change in leadership, or technology transitions, establishing these correlations is crucial.
The location and context of a problem can offer valuable insights into its origin. Whether the issue manifested in the warehouse, within certain business units, or in specific customer segments, identifying these patterns is essential for a targeted investigation.
A thorough root cause analysis also examines the breadth of the problem’s impact. There is a need to assess, “Who within the organization or among our client’s stakeholders is being affected?” Then determine if the issue is isolated to a niche group or is impacting the broader system. This helps guide whether a localized fix or an enterprise-wide solution is needed.
A list of symptoms, viewed through an operational lens, can reveal systemic weaknesses. An effective approach to uncovering these involves documenting every observable outcome—from declining performance metrics to employee feedback—and cross-referencing these against industry benchmarks and potential underlying issues.
This holistic view often uncovers hidden trends overlooked in standard analyses.
Repetition is often a strong indicator of a deeper internal challenge. Recurrent issues are signals of entrenched practices or systemic flaws, and understanding the frequency of these issues can assist in prioritizing which require urgent strategic overhaul.
Complex problems rarely stem from a single source and often have various factors contributing to them. We evaluate both direct impacts such as operational inefficiencies, and indirect factors like cultural shifts or market trends and include these in our analysis for forming root causes.
At The Poirier Group we blend 20 years of consulting industry experience with the insights we’ve gained from hands-on operational and strategic engagements. Our extensive experience spans across Supply Chain, Healthcare, Private Equity, Retail, Construction, Professional Services, Utilities and Government. Bringing this experience together and through our collaborative approach, the latest technologies and methodologies we enhance your team’s capabilities to support the progress of your initiatives long after we have completed our scope of work.
If your team needs help to define the root causes, or the pragmatic solutions to achieve your objectives, we bring a Lean Six Sigma mindset to define the best path forward, along with a business case to support your investment decisions. If you need help to implement solutions, we can also manage this with or without your team involved as you require.
The Poirier Group provides the right support where you need it and when you need it. Let’s discuss what that may look like in order to advance progress and outcomes for your next opportunity.
