The causal factor chart depicts the events leading to an incident or problem. The components of the chart are the main event or loss incident, preceding events, and conditions. What are the best practices for causal factor chart building?
Collecting data following the Best Practices for building a causal factor chart
Do not wait until you feel that you have all the information on hand to start creating the chart. Instead, start with what is available at the moment. The result will show the gaps between what you know about the incident and what happened. By helping you fill the blanks, the causal factor chart drives the data collection process.
There are various digital applications on the market to draw this chart. However, I strongly recommend starting to build it using sticky notes or drawing it on a whiteboard. This simple method will make it easier to fill in the blanks without adding more time.
Follow the best practices for building a causal factor chart to ensure it is clear and simple
Just like standard work, this tool needs clarity and simplicity. The starting point is the description of the incident itself. Define what is the situation under study. Describe the incident and each preceding event using complete yet short sentences. For clarity, use the 5W1H to define each block. In other words, name who, what, where, when, and how. Each block should contain only one idea, step, event, or condition.
To maintain the events description short and easy to understand, use one noun and one action verb. If it fits, use quantitative explanations and timing to define the events.
Best Practices to ensure the chart is complete and accurate
The construction of the causal chart includes several verification steps. It is a good practice to add the source of the collected data. Knowing from where it came facilitates going back and asking for further information. Sometimes, the data comes from observation or the result of data analysis. If that is the case, note the source as observation, data analysis, or other.
Any complementary information should be a separate block or part of the notes or appendix. For instance, use acronyms or abbreviations to keep the statements short. To make clear to everybody what each one means, include an appendix.
Following these best practices while building the causal chart will ensure the clarity of the events leading to the incident or loss. Moreover, it will facilitate understanding of those steps and how they interact to cause the situation. These two things will ensure more accurate corrective and preventive actions to stop recurrence. In addition will provide details of the investigation and analysis process, which is valuable when reviewing the case.
