In the late 1980s, Paradies, along with and David Busch , founded System Improvements, Inc.. Their mission was to translate complex psychological theories—like the Swiss Cheese Model and Skill-Rule-Knowledge decision-making—into a repeatable, guided process. The Anatomy of the System
Where to Find the TapRooT® Root Cause Tree® Dictionary PDF
The TapRooT® System is a complete "toolbox" for performance improvement. It's a suite of powerful, integrated methods that work together. Alongside the core SnapCharT®, Root Cause Tree®, and Dictionary, it includes tools for , Change Analysis , the Corrective Action Helper® for developing effective fixes, Equifactor® for equipment troubleshooting, and a Critical Human Action Profile . The system is structured to work reactively for incident analysis and proactively for identifying and fixing problems before they cause harm. The result is a comprehensive, secure, and password-protected environment for managing the entire investigation and corrective action lifecycle.
Because the TapRooT® System is a highly protected intellectual property owned by System Improvements, Inc.,
Deploying the TapRooT® Root Cause Tree Dictionary across an organization transforms the way safety and quality are managed. By aligning investigations with established human factors engineering principles, companies drastically reduce repeat incidents. taproot root cause tree dictionary pdf
It ensures that every identified root cause is supported by facts collected during the investigation.
Where to get a PDF
Traditional problem-solving often stops at the "direct cause" (e.g., "the operator missed a step"). While corrective actions based on such findings may offer short-term fixes, they rarely address why the operator missed the step—such as poor procedure design, inadequate training, or fatigue from excessive overtime. Without a disciplined system, investigations become subjective, inconsistent, and prone to human error. The TapRooT® Root Cause Tree® addresses this gap by forcing investigators to follow a logical, evidence-based path from the incident to its deepest roots.
The companion book defining every term on the tree through investigative questions. Corrective Action Helper® In the late 1980s, Paradies, along with and
A list of specific conditions that must be present to select a particular root cause.
Every incident—from a minor near-miss to a major equipment failure—tells a story. But if you only address the surface-level symptoms, you’re just waiting for the next sequel. To truly stop repeat incidents, you need a systematic way to dig deeper. That’s where the becomes your most valuable field guide. 1.5.5 , 1.5.7 What is the Root Cause Tree® Dictionary?
This is the most frequently accessed branch, as most incidents involve some human interaction. The Dictionary rigorously defines sub-categories to prevent the lazy classification
Before looking at the tree, map out the timeline of the event using a SnapCharT®. This visual timeline documents exactly what happened, when it happened, and what conditions were present. Step 2: Identify Causal Factors It's a suite of powerful, integrated methods that
Note on Licensing: The TapRooT® Root Cause Tree® and Dictionary are copyrighted, proprietary intellectual property owned by System Improvements, Inc. Full, official PDF versions and software implementations (TapRooT® Software) are typically provided to users who have attended official certified training courses or purchased authorized licensing. Benefits of Using the Tree and Dictionary Together
In modern industrial environments, speed, portability, and accessibility are vital. Safety managers, forensic engineers, and quality auditors frequently search for a for several practical reasons: 1. Field Accessibility
include the need for training (the system is not intuitive for first-time users) and a potential for overcomplicating simple incidents. Some critics argue that the predefined tree may miss novel or systemic causes not listed in the Dictionary. However, the TapRooT® System allows investigators to add custom causes when necessary.
The primary way to receive a physical copy or digital access to the Root Cause Tree and Dictionary is by attending an accredited TapRooT® course (such as the 2-Day Root Cause Analysis Course or the 5-Day Advanced Team Leader Training).
If you want to maximize your investigation efficiency, consider looking into: