Understanding and Addressing the Root Cause

“For every effect, there is a root cause. Find and address the root cause rather than try to fix the effect, as there is no end to the latter.” Author unknown

For the last three months, I have been focusing on Data Step 2: Analyze and Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Today is a short Summary Post of all the components in Data Step 2. 

Steps to start the data analysis process:

Action 1: Gather and Organize Data

Action 2: Scrub your data. Correct errors and update missing information.

Action 3: Identify your primary data person. This person will help you keep the data clean and organized.

Action 4: Identify your school leadership team. This group will be composed of school leaders and teacher leaders.

When conducting your RCA, it is important to understand the power of context. The experiences and context that people bring to the data can impact the decisions that they make about the data and its root causes. 

Since everyone brings different experiences to the data, their input may help uncover the deeper root cause. When experiences are shared, you must also distinguish between experiences or opinions with data facts. Perceptions about the data are not data facts. When conducting your RCA, ask a lot of questions to get more information. It is important to confirm all final root causes with data facts.

• Go deep with RCA. 
•  Do not jump to solutions too quickly, when conducting RCA.
• Help your staff face the facts in the data.
• Identify both Positive Root Causes (What’s working) and Negative Root Causes (What’s not working)

Five Common Root Cause Issues that impact school results: (For more information see specific Blog link)

• School climate and culture: Identifying the Positive and Negative Aspects of School Culture 
• Instruction: Using Data to Identify Instructional Root Causes
• Assessment: The Importance of Assessment for Student Growth
• Curriculum: Formula for an Effective Curriculum
• Organizational Structure for Learning: Importance of Effective Organization in a School

RCA must be conducted on your priority area(s) first. Trying to discuss all 5 areas at once will most likely cause confusion and overwhelm your staff. Take time to tackle each area and go deep with the data. Prioritize your deepest roots before you search for a solution.

Analyzing your data may be your longest step. It is important to identify not only what’s working, but also the reasons why your current solution is not working. Bringing an outside facilitator (whether in district or out of district) can be helpful in moving through this process objectively. They can ask challenging questions and help you identify deep root causes. 

Remember not to jump to solutions too quickly. Skipping steps just to get urgently into the solution will hurt you in the long term. To help you move through this process, identify successes and quick wins to build momentum. Regardless of what the data will say, face your facts and own your results. It is the only way to know what to do differently to change your outcomes. 

If you are interested in more information or would like assistance analyzing your data and root causes, request a FREE consultation call. Fill in the Contact Form: 

https://debradurma.com/contact-us 

Type in "Request a FREE Consultation" in the "Additional Questions or Information Needed" box. You will receive a follow-up email with the next step, which is to schedule a phone call to discuss your needs and questions.