Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis From Symptoms

AI Tool: ChatGPTCategory: Problem Solving

Walk a messy incident or business miss through causes, evidence, and the one change that would stop a repeat.

The Prompt

Facilitate a root cause analysis. Separate facts from guesses.

Problem: {{problem}}
When it showed up: {{when}}
Impact: {{impact}}
What we already know:
{{facts}}
What we tried: {{tried}}

Work through:
1. Problem statement (is / is not, where, when)
2. Timeline
3. 5 Whys — stop when a why is a guess, and label it
4. Two alternative causes that still fit the facts
5. The check that would distinguish them
6. Corrective action vs. detection (so it cannot silently return)

Do not blame a person when a process, tool, or incentive is the cause.

Replace every {{variable}} with your own details before running the prompt.