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Cause Mapping is a practical approach to the scientific method of cause and effect analysis. There are three basic steps (ref. 4) - the outline, the analysis and the solutions (see Figure 1.). Each of these steps should be documented (written down) during an investigation. The analysis step is particularly important because the visual Cause Map is created. This Cause Map significantly improves communication within a group when working through an issue. When we build a Cause Map we are analyzing the incident - breaking it down into its root causes. The analysis step is typically weak in most organizations. People write long explanations of what occurred instead of utilizing the visual approach. The mechanism for effective solutions is that they control specific causes of the problem. Most people think of solutions as an action that solves a problem, but solutions really control specific causes of the problem. Effective solutions always control specific causes. Making the Cause Map a visual tool significantly improves the way an organization communicates information in an investigation. We’ll look at each of the three steps of cause mapping in detail.
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