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Contact:

Joe Iannelli, Ph.D.

Department Head, Engineering and Professor of Engineering

Engineering
John Jay 128

iannelli@rmu.edu
412-397-2514 phone
412-397-2593 fax
More Info

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) 

This proposal is developed for Reliant Energy Inc, for Root Cause Analysis training. It can be modified and negotiated to best fit Reliant needs and training objectives.
  1. Goals and Objectives of the Training
    Main objective of training is to provide employees with tools and methodology for systematic and effective problem solving within the company. Such skills are the base for implementation of formal Root Cause Analysis system, which should become standard problem solving process.

  2. Training Format
    Training consists of 40 hours (5 times 8 hours) and is conducted on company premises for groups of 30 people. Training will be divided into 3 parts:
    • Methodology presentation
    • Reason" software training
    • Real problem RCA using "Reason" software

  3. Training Materials
    Participants will receive complete set of training materials in form of a binder with copy of all slides and worksheet.

  4. Program and Organization of Training
    Session I:
    • Introduction to RCA methodology.
    • Problem Definition
      • Problem identification
      • Problem definition
      • Incident statement
      • Evidence preservation
    • Data collection techniques
      • Interviews
      • Surveys
      • Flowcharting
      • Five Why's
      • Control lists (4W, 3M, 4W&3H)
      • Observation
      • Control charts
    • Data analysis techniques
      • Casual Factor Charting
      • Pareto analysis
      • Fishbone diagram
      • Flow diagram

    Session II:

    • Data analysis techniques (cont.)
      • Change Analysis
      • Barrier Analysis
      • Control charts
      • Histograms
      • Root cause definition
    • Corrective action development
      • Innovative thinking
      • Osborn's list
      • Brain storming
    • Corrective Action Implementation
      • Implementation planning
      • Execution of corrective action (problem solution)
      • Documentation
    • Report
    • Presentation to management

    Session III
    REASON software training - Part 1

    Session IV
    REASON software training - Part 2

    Session V
    Work in Groups - practical RCA using Reason Software

  5. Certificate of Accomplishment
    Every participant of training who will finish all sessions will receive Certificate of Accomplishment in the area of "Root Cause Analysis" issued by Robert Morris University - Center for Applied Research In Engineering and Science

  6. Training Leader
    Training will be conducted by Dr. Zbigniew Czajkiewicz, Professor and Head of Center for Applied Research in Engineering and Science at Robert Morris University. Before joining RMU Dr. Czajkiewicz was a president of CIS, a consulting company providing services in information systems (ERP), project management and business process reengineering and problem solving.

    From 1989 until 2000 Dr. Czajkiewicz was a Professor and Director of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Center at California State University, Fresno where he was responsible for coordination of consulting activities and cooperation with industry. They were conducting research, training, organizing seminars and special projects for the industry. He also worked as a scientist at Texas Tech University, Wichita State University (Kansas), University of Toledo (Ohio), and Technical University of Wroclaw (Poland). From 1996 until 1998 Dr. Czajkiewicz was Vice-President of Polish American Institute of Management in Warsaw, Poland. His international business consulting experience includes work in England, Kazakhstan, Germany, the United States, and Poland. The scope of projects include project management, problem solving (RCA), analysis and productivity improvements, reengineering (BPR), Total Quality Management (TQM), implementation of computer management system, among others. Results of his work were published in over 50 publications and presented at many conferences and seminars in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Africa.