---
title: "Configuring Causal Factor Categories"
slug: "configuring-causal-factor-categories"
updated: 2025-04-29T21:08:58Z
published: 2025-04-29T21:08:58Z
canonical: "docs.serenityops.com/configuring-causal-factor-categories"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.serenityops.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring Causal Factor Categories

Causal factor categories play a central role in structured **root cause analysis (RCA)** within Serenity’s Investigation Management module. These categories form the **branches of the Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram**, a visual tool used to analyze and identify contributing factors behind an incident, failure, or nonconformance.

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## What Is a Fishbone Diagram?

The **Fishbone Diagram**, also known as the **Ishikawa Diagram**, is a common root cause analysis method. It helps teams:

- **Visually map out** potential causes of a problem
- **Organize causes into themes** (categories) for easier discussion
- Drive structured and collaborative **problem-solving sessions**

Each “branch” of the fishbone represents a **causal factor category** that groups together a set of related contributing causes.

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## Default Categories

Serenity ships with common industry-aligned causal factor categories enabled by default:

- **Organizational Factors**
- **Individual/Team Factor**
- **Human Factors**
- **Workplace Factors**
- **Absent or Failed Defenses**

These provide a solid foundation based on common RCA practices and can be expanded or adapted as needed.

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## Configuration Options

Currently, causal factor categories must be updated through Serenity’s support team. If your organization needs to:

- Add new categories
- Deactivate unused ones
- Rename existing entries

📩 Reach out to your Serenity support contact or professional services representative for assistance.

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## 🚧 Coming Soon

Serenity is working on enhancements that will allow **Investigation Admins** to manage these categories **directly from the Investigation Settings page**. Once released, you’ll be able to:

- Add, remove, or rename categories on your own
- Control which categories are active

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## ✅ Best Practices

Keep your categories broad but relevant. Too many narrow or overlapping categories can clutter your RCA efforts. Start with 4–7 main branches that reflect your organization’s most common investigation themes, then allow contributors to drill into specific causes during the investigation.