Six Sigma Black Belt Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Resource

Root cause analysis is a systematic process used to identify the fundamental causes of problems or issues, particularly in quality management. It focuses on understanding the underlying reasons why defects or failures occur, rather than just addressing the symptoms. By identifying these key contributing factors, organizations can implement more effective solutions that lead to long-term improvements.

In quality management, distinguishing root causes from superficial layers allows teams to develop targeted strategies that improve overall processes. This method facilitates a clearer understanding of how various factors contribute to product quality or operational challenges. Techniques commonly used in root cause analysis include the "5 Whys" and Fishbone diagrams, which encourage deep investigation into issues.

Other methods like regression analysis, time series analysis, and variance analysis play important roles in data analysis and decision-making but do not specifically focus on identifying fundamental causes of quality problems. Regression analysis is more suited for exploring relationships between variables, time series analysis focuses on trends over time, and variance analysis analyzes deviations in financial performance or operational aspects rather than root causes of quality defects.