How to perform effective root-cause analysis

This paper identifies many common pitfalls of establishing a utility root-cause analysis program and of performing root-cause analysis of nuclear power plant problems. These pitfalls are identified based on review and involvement of {approximately}2,000 root-cause analyses of plant problems, ranging from human errors and many types of equipment failures to programmatic deficiencies. The paper discusses benefits of effective root-cause analysis, attributes of effective root-cause analysis, pitfalls in establishing root-cause analysis programs, pitfalls in performing effective root-cause analysis, and avoidance of pitfalls.