PD Modules: Understanding the problem & unpacking its root causes

Is your team trying to address a persistent problem? This module is developed to help you better understand your problem by uncovering its root causes.

PD Series 1 > Module 1


What problem is your team facing?

Understanding the problem: Adult Wellness in Schools
Understanding the problem: Rebuilding relationships

Watch these videos for examples of problems that teams face & use the tools below to further identify your problem.


Reflective Questions

After viewing the videos, reflect on the following questions:

  1. What problem is your team addressing?
  2. If things were better, what would be happening differently?
  3. What evidence do you have that helps you to describe the problem specifically?
  4. How can you understand the problem more widely or deeply by gathering evidence from different sources?


Why do we do root cause analysis?

Understand the problem: unpacking its root causes

Watch this video to understand why it’s worth unpacking the root causes of a problem & use the tools below to delve into, as a team, the possible causes. If you’d like more information on how to do a root cause analysis, see the AMI Root Cause Webinar below.


Reflective Questions

After viewing the videos, reflect on the following questions:

  1. In your own words, why is it important to unpack the root causes of a problem?
  2. Think about a problem that you are currently facing. List root causes you believe contribute to the problem.
  3. Which root causes will you prioritize to address?



Planning Tools

Use these Planning Tools with your team to better understand your problem and unpack its root causes.


Take a look at this short tutorial, with examples, to dig deeper into root cause analysis.

root-cause-webinar
AMI Root Cause Webinar