5+ Cause and Effect Analysis Templates – PDF, Word
Karma has it that for every effect, there is a definite cause in the same sense that for every cause, there would be a definite effect. One’s thoughts, behaviors, and especially actions create effects which are the manifestation of the life you currently live. Superstitions aside, it should already be common knowledge that certain actions more often than not, cause certain reactions. You may also like incident root cause analysis templates.
Such is the principle of analyzing causes and effects that happens in our everyday lives. We use this sample analysis when the boss asks why you’re fifteen minutes late for work and you then explain why. Causes are the answers to the “whys” of a situation. In many aspects, people try to analyze the causes and effects. You can also like GAP analysis samples.
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Cause and Effect Analysis
You have your scientists with their never-ending “whys” in research. You have doctors trying to find the answers for their patient’s condition, detectives uncovering clues as to what caused a crime and many professionals have to do their own investigation in finding out why things happen the way they do. The cause and effect analysis is a type of analysis that doesn’t only help in defining what caused something to occur but it also understands the nature of a problem and how you should address a certain case. You can also like simple root cause analysis.
When To Use A Cause and Effect Analysis
In school, college students might be required to write a cause and analysis essay to further hone their skills in thinking integrally about causes and effects of a certain research problem or even current events and determine the relationships between events and analyze the effects later on. A cause and effect analysis will be useful in different environments and situations such as:
- College or university: In a literature course you may be required to determine the effects of a story’s plot. In history class, the professor might ask you to analyze the causes of war. You can also like root cause analysis templates.
- Work: Sales performance have dropped in the last quarter and your boss asked you to find out the causes.
- Everyday life: During bad weather commuters, pedestrians and drivers encounter problems on the road where drivers need to pay more attention, making them reduce speed to avoid causing road accidents. You may also see analysis templates.
How It Works
Cause and effect analysis generates and sorts hypotheses about the possible causes of problems within a process by means of investigating or listing down the possible causes and effects of a certain problem identified. Such analysis is often conducted by creating cause and effect diagrams which requires organizing a great deal of information by presenting connections between events and potential or actual causes and offer a way of generating concepts or ideas as to why a problem is occurring and its possible effects. You can also read editable failure analysis templates.
It involves the contemplation of why something happened as well as the consequences it has brought. Writing an analysis essay or report can be done from different perspectives. The analysis had proved to be an effective strategy or problem-solving tool for analysts to look at a problem from a bigger picture. The diagrams are created to show either cause that are setbacks for the desired state in business or factors that would help the business reach its desired position.
The Fishbone Diagram
When presented in graphic diagrams with branches drawn to reflect certain categories of causes, a cause and effect analysis allows a broader perspective of potential or actual causes and guides the further observation of individual causes. Since people’s ideas can find a space on the diagrams presented, the analysis, therefore, sets a better focus on the process where a problem is happening. It also offers the critical and objective use of facts exposed by the events reported. You can also read analysis samples.
Then again, it is important to remember that the diagram is there to provide a convenient means of indicating hypotheses about a problem’s causes or about why something isn’t happening the way you expect it to. It is not a substitute for empirical hypothesis testing. It can’t be used to tell the root cause but instead possible or preconceived causes. You may also see sample company analysis templates.
Cause and Effect analysis is also commonly known as a fishbone diagram which was developed in the 1960s by Professor Ishikawa, a pioneer in the field of quality management professional. It acquired the name fishbone because the diagram takes the form of a fishbone. Originally, this was used in order to improve quality in management but it’s also an effective strategy in the analysis of business processes by determining its causes and setbacks as well as on finding ways in improving it.
Steps for Conducting a Cause and Effect Analysis
Usually, the cause and effect analysis involves two key steps. One looking backward and one looking forward.
- Looking backward, the analysis gives focus on finding areas where mistakes took place and financial loss. It looks back into what happened in the past to help identify where the issues are. In doing so, you would be able to work on avoiding the same issue in the future. Furthermore, you get to replicate a positive result out of it. You can also read sentiment analysis tools.
- Going forward or looking into the future while planning for it, the analysis aims to have working solutions that can be implemented in the future and build on the company’s potential for growth. You can also check out hazard analysis templates.
Identify The Problem
Sounds a tad scientific? But that’s what an analysis ought to be. Although the approach doesn’t need to be as systematic as your regular (scientific) research work, you do have to treat it with the same effort and level of (critical) thinking. With that said, your first step would be finding out the problem that needs analyzing. One of the best ways to do this is through briefly describing the current business position and the consequences manifested by the problem including the reasons why they happened. You may also read gap analysis examples.
Set A Goal
This is where you can substitute the problem with the goal you want to accomplish. For example, high productivity which would translate to sales or increased profitability. You need to be as specific as much as you can, in stating the problem you’re currently faced with since this will be the foundation for your analysis. If the identification is wrong, the analysis will be flawed and would be rendered invalid. Also, include the people involved with the exact problem and how it happens. For instance, low sales performance because of low productivity, and low productivity because of increased absenteeism in a certain period of a sales quarter. You may also like risk analysis templates.
Find Out The Main Causes
Next, you would have to work with your team in identifying the main causes of the problem. For instance, your workforce’s attendance, the policies, and procedures your company used, including the materials or equipment. This is the part where you and your team would have a great amount of brainstorming to do and come up with as many reasons as all of you possibly can. You may use different models available for outlining your ideas in a more organized way. You can also like job analysis templates.
Keep Your “Whys” Coming
Even after identifying causes, continue to keep asking why and “why else” for each cause listed until your group have figured out what could be a potential root cause. Remember that a root cause has the ability to discuss or explain the effect be it directly or by indicating a series of events and one which, if taken out, would be able to remove or reduce the issue. Make sure that your answers to your “whys” would count as sound and plausible explanations and are adaptable to the type of solutions you would put in place after completing the analysis. You can also read free analysis templates.
Observe the logic or the idea behind the series of causes identified and mapped out in the diagram from a possible root cause to its corresponding effect to see if it follows a logical flow. You can make changes as needed, before having a final report or document for your completed cause and effect analysis. You may also see education gap analysis.
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In business, facing problems however trivial or major can be turned around into a great opportunity for growth or it can be a stumbling block leading to ultimate failure, depending on how you choose to solve or address them. The most experienced businessmen prevents setbacks from happening before things turn out of control by properly analyzing the business situation and identifying the causes to solve that situation. You may also read requirement analysis templates.
Conducting an effective cause and effect analysis allows companies to generate consensus regarding causes and would help make them more profitable by finding sound solutions and avoiding the same mistakes from happening as they move forward. You can also like training needs analysis templates.