Definition
A Root Cause is a causal factor or set of conditions whose modification can materially reduce the likelihood that a problem or unwanted event will recur.
Human Explanation
It is not the first visible symptom. It is a supported explanation of why the problem occurred and where a change can prevent or reduce recurrence.
Why it Matters
Treating symptoms may restore operation temporarily while leaving the conditions that produced the problem unchanged.
Conceptual Boundary
A Root Cause is not always one event, the deepest imaginable explanation or a person’s last action. Complex problems often arise from several interacting conditions. A useful Root Cause must be supported by evidence and connect to an effective intervention.
Practical Perspective
Identify Root Causes through process evidence, causal relationships and testing of alternative explanations. The objective is not to trace causation indefinitely, but to find causes that support effective and proportionate decisions.