Elevating RCA and 5 why method to New Heights: The Fusion of AI and Root Cause Analysis

Bernardo Caldas
4 min readAug 15, 2023

How AI is Transforming Problem Analysis in Businesses and Aiding in Finding More Effective Solutions

In the business world, tools like 5W2H and the 5 Whys are essential for unraveling and solving problems. While 5W2H provides a clear structure to understand challenges, the 5 Whys dive deep into the root cause of the issue. Together, they have guided teams in making informed decisions. But, in a digital age, how can we enhance these traditional approaches? Example of a form used nowadays.

AI Transforming the Analysis

With integrated artificial intelligence (AI), the traditional 5W2H and 5 Whys form is taken to another level. AI not only suggests answers but also optimizes them, making each analysis sharper and more effective. It’s the merging of the wisdom from classic tools with the dynamism of modern technology. Application in operation suggesting an action based on form responses.

Use Cases in Companies: Real Results for Modern Businesses

Process Improvement: An automobile factory utilizes the AI-enhanced 5W2H and 5 Whys form to identify bottlenecks in the production line. With intelligent suggestions, the company manages to increase efficiency by 20% in just a few weeks.

Solving Customer Service Issues: A telecommunications company applies the same approach to understand recurring customer complaints. Solutions suggested by AI contribute to a 30% reduction in complaints in the first quarter.

These examples showcase how blending traditional techniques with AI can bring swift and tangible results for modern businesses.

5 why method

follow one example bellow :

Here’s an example of the 5 Whys process and the solutions that came up from the analysis.

  1. Why was the hospital’s new health care app delayed by 4 weeks?
    Answer: Additional complexities were revealed in the testing phase.
  2. Why did additional difficulties come up?
    Answer: The creation phase did not include a solution for a major use case.
  3. Why did the creation phase miss a major use case?
    Answer: The original brainstorming sessions did not include employees from the department.
  4. Why were key employees missing from the brainstorming sessions?
    Answer: The brainstorming session was led by a particular department. In this case, additional departments were brought in later in the development process.
  5. Why is this process managed by a particular department?
    Answer: This is how it’s always been done.

Solutions found in the team:

Create a new process that builds on the strengths of all departments and encourages interdepartmental collaboration. Ensure key employees from every department are present in all brainstorming sessions throughout all phases.

Let’s chek the ai model sugestion :

ai model sugestion based 5 why input

When compared to the model’s suggestions, a clear difference in analytical depth emerges. The model not only aligned with the team’s emphasis on collaboration but went steps further. It presented a comprehensive analysis of potential causes and offered a myriad of solutions. From advocating for rigorous testing and regular updates to considering agile methodologies and equipping the development team with resources, the model showcased an expansive approach.

While both the team and the model value interdepartmental collaboration, it’s evident that the model provides a more detailed and extensive set of potential solutions. This comparison underlines the model’s exceptional capability in problem analysis and solution generation.

The team’s insights provided a solid foundation for addressing organizational challenges. When combined with the model’s detailed analysis, we achieve a more comprehensive solution. Together, human expertise and the model’s analytical capabilities create a powerful synergy for enhanced decision-making.

Don’t lag in this ever-evolving world. It’s time to embrace the revolution and see how AI can elevate your problem analysis to new heights. Want to witness the magic? Try out our tool now and feel the transformation in your operations.

👉https://action-plan-git-main-bernardcaldas.vercel.app/

See our tool in action below!”

--

--

Bernardo Caldas

Developer | AI | Driving innovation with development tools and AI. Making technology meaningful