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Day after day organizations face problems for which they desire effective solutions. An important consideration is how to differentiate between problems for which root cause analysis is justifiable and those for which it is not. Applying resources to such an effort should be made based on considerations such as frequency, impact and risk.

Root cause analysis is the process of first drilling down from the symptoms of a problem to the physical cause, then from physical cause to root cause. Root causes are errors in the design or implementation of formal organizational processes which if corrected will provide a high level of assurance that the same problem will not recur.

So why not do root cause analysis on every problem? Because no organization has unlimited human and financial resources, yet investigations into problems require the allocation of both. Organizations then need a mechanism for helping determine the appropriate depth of analysis for each problem.

Some problems dont even justify an investigation at all. For example, if a company runs out of copy machine paper, going to the local office supply store to get some is likely to suffice. However, it the problem occurs repeatedly, then an assessment of how the paper inventory management process works (or doesnt work, in this case) may be worthy of analysis.

Such logic is often ignored when problems occur across external organizational boundaries. It is not unusual for customers to request that their suppliers perform root cause analysis based on a single failure out of hundreds of thousands of successes. Unless the degree of risk related to the problem is very high, such requests amount to diversions of resources to low value-added tasks.

Unfortunately, organizations often do not understand that root cause analysis is a rigorous mental process. It combines deductive and inductive reasoning to determine the specific cause and effect relationship that creates a particular problem. And it is not a popularity contest, but instead a data/evidence-driven one that can eliminate onerous business problems if used judiciously.

Duke Okes helps organizations implement effective root cause analysis as one component of the business improvement process. He can be reached at http://www.aplomet.com

posted by 55208  # 5:21 PM 0 comments

It seems a little strange that water is soft or hard. However, these are two recognized types of water. A water softener is a machine that removes certain elements from hard water, thus softening it and making it a little better to use.

Hard water is water that has high amounts of calcium and magnesium. These elements can create stains on sinks and in tubs. It can also damage hair and leave skin feeling dried out and itchy. Not only can hard water be inconvenient in small ways, the buildup as a result of the calcium and magnesium deposits can actually clog pipes. A water softener can reduce the problems associated with hard water.

A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium from water. Some water softeners also remove iron. The water softener is a machine that, when connected to the water supply, actually softens hard water. Most water softeners require an amount of salt for their proper functioning. Because elements are removed from the water, they build up in the softener rather than pipes. This means that the water softener requires regular maintenance.

There are different sizes and types of water softeners. The more water used by a household, the bigger the water softener needs to be. There are also three different types of water softener: manual, semi-automatic and automatic. The automatic merely requires regular maintenance. The other two types require a more active role in the removal of calcium and magnesium from the household water supply.

While soft water is great for washing and bathing, hard water is more pleasant to the taste. As a result, many people find that it is nice to have one faucet in the home that provides hard water for drinking and cooking.

A water softener decreases the overall need for strenuous pipe maintenance due to buildup. It can also provide a more pleasant way to use water to bathe, as well as preserve the quality of clothes washed in a washing machine.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at http://www.water-softener-central.info

posted by 55208  # 4:15 PM 0 comments