The compliance challenge
Root cause analysis is often reduced to a single line on a form: 'operator error, retrained'. That rarely reflects the real cause and almost never prevents recurrence.
GFSI-recognised standards specifically require root cause analysis for major findings, repeat issues and significant incidents, and auditors examine the quality of the analysis.
About this service
Root cause analysis is facilitated with the people closest to the process, using a structured method suited to the problem — five whys for simpler issues, fishbone or contributing-factor analysis for complex or systemic failures.
The output identifies the systems and conditions that allowed the issue, distinguishing between immediate, contributing and underlying causes, and links each to a specific corrective action.
Scope of support
- Investigation facilitation and workshops
- Five whys analysis
- Fishbone (cause and effect) analysis
- Contributing factor and barrier analysis
- Data and record review to establish the timeline
- Analysis of recurring complaints and non-conformance trends
- Foreign body, microbiological and allergen incident investigation
- Process failure and equipment-related investigation
- Supplier-related issue investigation
- Linking causes to corrective and preventive actions
- Report preparation suitable for auditors and customers
- Effectiveness review after implementation
How the consultancy works
- 1
Define the problem
State the issue precisely, with data, scope and impact.
- 2
Build the timeline
Establish what happened using records, interviews and evidence.
- 3
Analyse
Apply the appropriate method with the team to identify causes.
- 4
Test the causes
Check each candidate cause against the evidence.
- 5
Action
Define preventive actions addressing each verified cause.
- 6
Verify
Confirm the actions worked and the issue has not recurred.
Relevant standards
- Root cause analysis requirements within BRCGS, FSSC 22000 and SQF
- Customer investigation and response requirements
Who this suits
- Sites with repeat non-conformances or complaints
- Businesses investigating a significant incident or withdrawal
- Technical teams wanting to build internal investigation capability
Compliance and operational benefits
- Investigations that identify systemic causes, not just operator blame
- Corrective actions that measurably reduce recurrence
- Analysis quality that satisfies auditors and customers
- Internal capability developed through facilitated workshops