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.