You want to determine a root cause
What is Root Cause Analysis (RCA)?
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a problem-solving method that identifies the root causes of problems. Its purpose is to avoid treating the symptoms rather than the real problems. A factor is considered a root cause if its removal from the problem-fault sequence prevents the undesirable end result from recurring.
Root Cause Analysis is essentially based on four general principles:
- Properly define and describe the event or problem.
- Establish a timeline from the normal situation to the final crisis.
- Distinguish between root causes and the causal factor.
- Once implemented, Root Cause Analysis is transformed into a method of predicting problems.
Why implement a root cause determination?
Implementing Root Cause Analysis will help the organization to:
- Identify barriers and causes of problems, in order to find permanent solutions.
- Develop a logical approach to problem solving.
- Determine current and future organizational improvement needs.
The support of a competent root cause laboratory is therefore essential to solve your problems in a sustainable manner.
FILAB assists you in determining the root cause
Through our three levels of services: analysis, expertise and R&D support, FILAB assists companies from all sectors in determining the root cause. FILAB provides its clients with the know-how and experience of its team, as well as a 5200m² analytical facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
A laboratory specialized in analytical root cause investigation
Determining the origin of a problem often requires combining several analytical techniques and scientific expertise.
FILAB laboratories conduct comprehensive investigations including:
- chemical composition analysis
- contamination identification
- material characterization
- surface analysis
- structural analysis
- failure analysis
These analysis help identify the mechanisms responsible for defects, degradation or unexpected behavior of materials.
Advanced analytical techniques for root cause determination
To determine the root cause of industrial problems, FILAB relies on a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, including:
These techniques allow our experts to identify chemical, structural or morphological anomalies responsible for failures.
Our FAQ
Pour obtenir un devis, vous pouvez contacter nos équipes via notre formulaire de contact, par téléphone ou par e-mail.
Il vous suffit de nous transmettre votre besoin (type de matériau, analyse souhaitée, norme éventuelle, urgence, quantité d’échantillons…). Nous vous envoyons ensuite une proposition technique et tarifaire personnalisée en 24-48H.
Les délais varient selon la nature de l’analyse et la complexité du projet d’expertise.
FILAB s’engage toutefois à fournir des délais rapides et adaptés à vos contraintes et urgences industrielles.
Root Cause Analysis is used when a company needs to identify the true origin of a failure, defect or unexpected phenomenon affecting a product or a manufacturing process. It is particularly useful when problems occur repeatedly or when the cause of the issue is unclear.
Typical situations include product defects, unexpected contamination, material degradation, corrosion, mechanical failures or deviations in manufacturing processes. By identifying the underlying cause of the issue, Root Cause Analysis allows companies to implement corrective actions and prevent the problem from recurring.
Root Cause Analysis is widely used in industries where product reliability, safety and quality are critical. Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, chemicals, metallurgy and polymer industries frequently rely on this method to investigate quality issues.
In these fields, analytical investigations help determine whether the origin of the problem is related to the composition of materials, contamination, structural defects or process conditions.
A laboratory performs Root Cause Analysis by combining scientific investigation methods with advanced analytical techniques. The process generally begins with a detailed understanding of the problem and the industrial context in which it occurred.
Experts then define an analytical strategy, conduct targeted laboratory analyses and interpret the results in order to determine the origin of the problem. This structured approach allows laboratories to identify whether the failure is related to materials, contamination, processing conditions or external factors.
Root Cause Analysis plays a key role in improving product quality and process reliability. By identifying the origin of failures rather than simply correcting their symptoms, companies can implement long-term solutions.
This approach helps reduce recurring defects, improve manufacturing processes and strengthen quality management systems. In many industries, Root Cause Analysis is therefore an essential tool for continuous improvement and risk prevention.
