---
title: "Root Cause Analysis"
slug: "root-cause-analysis"
updated: 2025-04-29T21:18:12Z
published: 2025-04-29T21:18:12Z
canonical: "docs.serenityops.com/root-cause-analysis"
---

> ## 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.

# Root Cause Analysis

Once investigators have completed the **Discovery** phase, the next step is to move into **Root Cause Analysis (RCA)**. This step focuses on understanding not just what happened, but *why* it happened — and how to prevent similar events in the future.

To begin, users click the **“Assess Root Cause”** button at the top of the investigation record.

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfuVrN0RX4jvKmXukODd6pK3CEDnqP6HPaI-FfkB1c-kOh8TdU4DobcHsaO79dLmH3jt-IAO22F5R7AQ8VKYuUvcffm7xAIBWydtEY1gxcb3rGBGVXuwVdPpilnJnzgwqUzfnaM8A?key=0AljBKwI0wYz67ygMJMFFpE5)

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## Choose a Methodology

After initiating RCA, the system will prompt users to select a root cause methodology. Serenity currently supports two industry-standard options:

### Event and Causal Factor Analysis

Create a **chronological timeline** of events that occurred *before, during,* and *after* the incident. This method is ideal for detailed investigations involving multiple actions or decisions.

### Fishbone Analysis (Ishikawa)

Group contributing factors into visual **causal factor categories** such as Human Factors, Equipment, Process, and more. This format helps teams quickly see patterns and categorize causes using a classic **fishbone diagram**.

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXegSsZX0tqFlj8jcqjQWg-izwF6rqI5lobXSlgHMUe1N1h2moAemGC3AS2jzPL3brjLynaE0-hbdGCOQJYw-Xyn70-12GGcO0oJG7EzFZXhuBPN99tHFOIRIHoRs14QWAbCPDSCAg?key=0AljBKwI0wYz67ygMJMFFpE5)

📝 Tip: Organizations can configure the available cause categories used in Fishbone Analysis (see Causal Factor Categories in Configuration).

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## Performing Root Cause Analysis

Once a methodology is selected, the corresponding root cause analysis tab will appear, allowing the investigator to:

- Add events or causal factor categories
- Identify causes related to specific categories (Fishbone) or timeline events (Event/Causal)
- Drill down into underlying causes and root causes until the primary cause is identified.

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## What’s Next?

When the root cause has been clearly documented and contributing factors are confirmed, the investigation can advance into the **Recommendations** stage — where follow-up actions can be proposed and tracked.