What is the concept of "root cause analysis"?

The concept of "root cause analysis" is primarily about identifying the fundamental cause of an incident or problem. This process is critical in safety management and incident prevention, as it allows organizations to look beyond the immediate symptoms of an incident to understand the underlying issues that led to it. By focusing on the root cause, organizations can implement effective solutions that address the real problems, rather than merely treating the symptoms. This approach helps prevent recurring incidents and promotes a safer environment.

The focus of root cause analysis is on systematic investigation and data-driven decision-making. By determining what happened, why it happened, and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future, organizations can enhance their safety protocols and processes significantly.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the true purpose of root cause analysis. Assigning blame does not create constructive outcomes, reinforcing authority does not contribute to safety improvements, and improving project completion timing is unrelated to the principles behind analyzing causes of incidents.