A root cause is an undesirable condition’s most profound underlying source or origin. In problem-solving, that condition is referred to as the current condition.
Often, multiple contributing causes derive from a single root cause. Addressing the root cause is essential to prevent a problem from recurring.
It is crucial to distinguish a root cause from a simple cause. The latter represents the factors contributing to or creating the current condition. These are also the directly influential elements that lead to a problem.
Example
A large e-commerce company notices a significant drop in website traffic and sales. The simple cause appears to be slow page load times. However, upon thorough investigation, the root cause is outdated data architecture. This root cause led to multiple contributing issues:
- Inefficient database queries
- Overloaded servers during peak times
- Difficulty in implementing new features
- Inconsistent user experience across devices
The company can solve these multiple issues by addressing the root cause (redesigning the data architecture) rather than just optimizing the existing system. This approach improves the current performance and enables better scalability and feature implementation for future growth.
This example demonstrates how in IT and digital systems, a fundamental architectural issue can be the root cause of various performance and user experience problems. Addressing this root cause provides a more comprehensive and long-lasting solution than treating each symptom individually.