What is a root cause analysis template?
A root cause analysis template or an RCA template guides cross-functional teams (CFTs) in constructing a good problem statement, collecting relevant data, effectively identifying the root cause, and implementing lasting solutions. Utilizing mobile-ready root cause analysis templates can help teams take immediate action to resolve issues and cultivate a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Importance of a root cause analysis template
Using a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) template provides a structured, consistent, and systematic framework for identifying the causes of problems:
Systematic problem-solving: An RCA template guides teams through a methodical process that focuses on uncovering the underlying causes rather than just treating symptoms.
Consistency and thoroughness: By using a standardized RCA format, the template ensures that all relevant aspects of the problem are examined thoroughly and consistently across different teams and incidents.
Clarity and visualization: Many RCA templates use visual tools like flowcharts, fishbone diagrams, or the “5 Whys” technique, which help teams visualize the problem and its causes clearly.
Actionable outcomes: A well-designed template includes sections for documenting corrective actions, assigning responsibilities, and setting timelines.
Supports preventative measures: RCA templates help organizations not only solve current problems but also proactively identify potential future issues and mitigate risks before they escalate.
Additionally, OSHA, the U.S. workplace safety regulator, strongly encourages organizations to investigate all incidents —including near misses—to uncover and address root causes, rather than treating incidents as random or unavoidable events. So, standardizing these through ready-to-use templates helps ensure that they are performed effectively.
For quality leads working within a certified quality management system, RCA isn't optional— ISO 9001:2015 Clause 10.2 explicitly requires organizations to determine root causes of nonconformances and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
RCA tools
Here are 4 of the best RCA tools to help you understand the organization and its context, as well as determine the right approach for your problem.
5 whys analysis (The five whys)
The 5 whys analysis is applied to universal problems across various industries due to its simple but practical nature, especially when implementing kaizen in an organization. With this RCA format, pinpoint the root cause by asking, “Why did this problem occur?” five times.
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Product design and process improvement professionals perform failure modes and effects analysis to prevent costly manufacturing failures and increase customer satisfaction.
8 disciplines of problem-solving (8D)
Quality engineers in the automotive industry first developed 8D for comprehensive RCAs of critical problems in the production process. Conduct an 8D root cause analysis when safety or regulatory issues have been discovered in your business and repetitive customer complaints about your product/service are received.
Six sigma methodology (DMAIC)
For any project that needs improvement, follow the DMAIC process (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) and focus efforts on the analyze phase. As the most recognized Six Sigma methodology, its strength lies in the structure and rigor from quantifying the problem to implementing long-term solutions.
How to write a root cause analysis in 5 steps
According to OSHA's guidance on incident investigation, effective root cause analysis requires teams to look beyond immediate or obvious causes to identify the underlying system-level failures that allowed the problem to occur.
The root cause analysis can be done in a few simple steps. These steps can also be used as a guide to create an effective root cause analysis checklist:
Define the problem – This first step aims to recognize any issues, problems, or areas for improvement in any specific unit of the business or organization.
Collect data – Gather evidence or relevant documentation that supports and investigates the elements involved in the identified problem.
Determine possible causes – List events or situations that may be contributing factors to the cause of the problem.
Identify the root cause – Using various tools and problem-solving methods available, specify the root cause of the problem.
Implement solutions – Recommend and enforce possible solutions or preventive measures that would lessen, if not eliminate, the problem or the root cause.
After these five basic steps at the start of the process, organizations should monitor implemented solutions to see if they have resolved the issue. Once the process is documented, it should be shared with relevant stakeholders to drive further improvements.
Learn more about how to comprehensively do the root cause analysis with a ready-to-use RCA template.
Best practices
Determining root causes of problems can sometimes be a long process if not done correctly. With that, here are some best practices in root cause analysis to improve operational efficiency:
1. Position RCA as part of daily management
Instead of treating root cause analysis as a one-off tool for major failures, encourage your teams to use it as part of their regular operating rhythm. When team members see RCA as a normal management practice, small issues get surfaced early, before they grow into costly disruptions.
2. Keep the focus on processes, not people
When something goes wrong, it’s tempting to zero in on individuals. But the real efficiency gains come from looking at how the process or communication flow contributed to the problem. Framing RCA this way makes teams more willing to share insights that drive better fixes.
3. Make it a cross-team exercise
Mid-level managers are often the bridge between functions. Pulling in perspectives from upstream and downstream partners during this process helps teams align solutions that stick. This prevents quick fixes in one area from creating new inefficiencies elsewhere.
4. Be selective about depth
As a manager, balance how much analysis to invest based on the size of the operational impact. Show your teams how to prioritize—spending more time on recurring or high-cost issues, while applying lighter reviews to smaller ones.
5. Turn insights into actionable playbooks
Work with your teams to capture learnings and fold them back into playbooks, checklists, or SOPs. This not only prevents repeat problems but also builds a library of proven fixes that new team members can rely on.
The principles and process steps that define a rigorous root cause analysis are codified in IEC 62740:2015, the international standard that governs RCA methodology across industries—from quality management to incident investigation.
What to include in a root cause analysis template
Below are elements that you can consider for your root cause analysis to ensure all relevant details are well accounted for in your form:
Title page – Include the basic details of your analysis session such as the date and location, as well as the name of the facilitator for proper documentation.
Issue details – Use a section of your RCA template to document the date the issue was reported, its brief description, and the rating of its impact on organizational or employee productivity.
Possible root cause – List the potential reasons it happened, the main category of the issue and the identified or potential root cause of the issue.
Next steps/recommendations – An RCA template must also include a section that lists the solution to be implemented, the estimated cost, and if there are special considerations or findings to be reviewed for corrective action.
Completion/sign-off – Put the details of the RCA team, as well as the full name and signature of the facilitator or person-in-charge (PIC).
Sample root cause analysis report
RCA report is the actual document that contains the results of the performed root cause analysis. This RCA document can be used as a basis for resolving current problems and as a reference to avoid their recurrence in the future. To give a more detailed overview, below is an example of a completed Root Cause Analysis Report.
Preview root cause analysis template PDF report
Root cause analysis examples
Below are real-life examples of implementing root cause analysis in the manufacturing and construction industry:
Root cause analysis example in manufacturing
Problem: Innovative Ideas Corporation, a leading producer of raw materials for electronic gadgets, experienced an oil spill on the loading dock. This has rendered a portion of the dock inaccessible and poses a serious risk to the safety of workers and vehicles maneuvering in the area.
Sawyer James Loren, the on-site safety personnel was immediately dispatched to look into the issue and identify what caused the spill. He deemed it best to use the 5 Why’s method for this analysis.
Why – The forklift is leaking oil
Why – The gasket dried out
Why – It was a cheap aftermarket gasket
Why – We saved extra money by buying cheaper, aftermarket gaskets in bulk
Why – The procurement department is incentivized to save money and not safety
Is the root cause of the problem identified? Yes.
While performing the RCA and working through the 5 Whys, the management also implemented countermeasures to mitigate short-term risks while implementing corrective and preventive actions at the root cause level.
Countermeasure – Clean up the oil spill
Countermeasure – Replace the gasket
Countermeasure – Pull the current stock of aftermarket gaskets
Countermeasure – Order OEM gaskets
Countermeasure – Realign the incentive program with safety
Root cause analysis example in construction
Problem: A backhoe operator at a busy construction site struck an unmarked underground utility line while maneuvering the equipment, causing a loud noise and prompting an immediate halt. The project manager was notified, and the 5 Whys method was used to investigate:
Why was the line hit? – It wasn’t marked.
Why wasn’t it marked? – The records were outdated, and the line wasn’t on the print.
Why were the records outdated? – The company that performed recent work failed to submit updated facility records.
Why didn’t they submit records on time? – Their process is flawed, and the utility company didn’t catch the issue.
Why didn’t the utility company catch it? – Poor collaboration between operations and the records department.
After identifying the root cause, the project manager emphasized to both parties the critical need to maintain updated records to prevent safety hazards.
Their teams use custom investigations templates to learn from incidents, resulting in faster, more thorough reviews and early hazard detection—preventing small mistakes from becoming significant problems.
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