Simplifying Cause Analysis: A Structured Approach

A step-by-step approach to your successful cause investigation.When the challenge is to get to the heart of a problem, you need a simple and efficient cause investigation methodology. And what would make a real difference would be an interactive map to lead you to the answer every time. Chester Rowe’s Simplifying Cause Analysis: A Structured Approach combines an instruction book with a downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool – for the results you have been looking for.The book is intended for professionals like you. You have some familiarity with cause analysis projects, but you’re looking for a simple and efficient cause investigation methodology – a more effective and insightful way of asking “why?”Follows the Cause Road Map. The author provides a comprehensive taxonomy for every cause investigation. Supporting his instructions with diagrams, charts, and real-world examples from companies like yours, he takes you step-by-step through planning, completing, and documenting your investigation: Chapter 1 helps you determine the level of effort that your investigation will require, assess the level of effort needed, and determine the rigor needed. Your investigation needs to be as risk-informed as possible Chapters 2 through 5 offer a new and innovative structure – rigorous yet intuitively easy to remember – to identify the underlying causes for the event (Cause Road Maps) and conduct the investigation. Chapter 6 introduces conceptual human performance models that will allow you to begin focusing on the human behaviors involved. Chapters 7 and 8 present you with methods, tools, and techniques for carefully interviewing personnel. Chapters 9 through 13 “put the pieces together,” guiding you to analyze and model the event, determine corrective action, and document the investigations and findings.Free Interactive Cause Analysis Tool. To fully implement Rowe’s Cause Road Map, you will need other tools to organize, analyze, and present the final results of your investigation. The author includes his downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool – an easy-to-use tool in familiar spreadsheet format – free with your verified purchase of the book. The Interactive Cause Analysis Tool functions include: Help managing your cause investigation efforts. Providing supporting documentation for your report. Aiding in presenting the results. Structuring and sequencing of corrective action recommendations. Help assessing your organization’s Safety Culture.Free Interactive Cause Analysis Tool. To fully implement Rowe’s Cause Road Map, you will need other tools to organize, analyze, and present the final results of your investigation. The author includes his downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool – an easy-to-use tool in familiar spreadsheet format – free with your verified purchase of the book. The Interactive Cause Analysis Tool functions include: Help managing your cause investigation efforts. Providing supporting documentation for your report. Aiding in presenting the results. Structuring and sequencing of corrective action recommendations. Help assessing your organization’s Safety Culture.“There are already many scientific tools to help us understand the physical causes for machine failures; the challenge now is to find a way of investigating human performance failure modes… humans are often a major source of slips, lapses, and mistakes.” – Chester D. Rowe

Chester D. Rowe's self-reliance and problem-solving abilities emerged early when, at age 14, he was given some parts for a ham radio receiver. To complete this project, he taught himself calculus and electronics. By the time his father died, when he was 16, Chet had designed the circuits for and then built this receiver using parts from discarded TVs. His father's death pushed Chet into early adulthood and responsibilities to help his raise his siblings. After overcoming 16 years of financial and other obstacles, Chet earned a BS in Nuclear Engineering and an AS in Physics/General Studies. In addition, Chet has completed training equivalent to a degree in Electrical Engineering. Chet recently retired after over 40 years in the commercial nuclear industry. Chet is the creator of the Cause Road Map(c) Taxonomy and trained in Kepner-Tregoe, TapRoot(R), PII, MORT, and other cause investigation and problem-solving techniques. As a result, he has been involved in more cause investigations than he can remember. Chet has an extensive background in: - Quality Assurance (QA). - Corrective Action Programs (CAP). - Engineering at five Nuclear Power plants. Chet has been a: - QA Engineer. - Lead Auditor. - Level III Inspector. - QA and a QC Supervisor. - Certified Quality Engineer. - Corrective Action Program Manager. - Corrective Action Program Coordinator/Engineer. - Equipment Performance Monitoring/Plant Engineer. - Management Consultant and Root Cause Training Instructor. - Co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Central PA Section of the American Nuclear Society (ANS). Prior to his commercial nuclear experience, Chet served in the US Navy aboard three submarines, completing qualification as an Engineering Watch Supervisor (EWS) - equivalent to a Reactor Operator at a commercial nuclear plant. He achieved the rank of First Class Petty Officer (EM1-SS) in under four years, received several Navy commendations, and was recommended for a billet aboard the NR-1 deep submergence research submarine and a limited duty officer (LDO) commission (both of which he declined in favor of returning to civilian life and college).

Kristen Noakes-Fry, ABCI, is Executive Editor at Rothstein Publishing, since 2011. Previously, she was a Research Director, Information Security and Risk Group, for Gartner, Inc.; Associate Editor at Datapro (McGraw-Hill), where she was responsible for Datapro Reports on Information Security; and Associate Professor of English at Atlantic Cape College in New Jersey. She holds an M.A. from New York University and a B.A. from Russell Sage College, and resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.