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99% of Companies Are Doing
Root Cause Analysis Wrong!

Discover the Common Mistakes in RCA That Are Preventing Your Teams
From Solving Recurring Problems and Are Costing You Money

Traditional Root Cause Analysis Methodologies
Do Not Identify the Real Root Causes

Outdated RCA methodologies are costing businesses trillions of dollars in lost revenue and wasted resources every year. Traditional RCA tools have not kept pace with the complexity of modern socio-technical environments, leading to:

Common Mistakes in RCA

Missing Human Factors

Traditional methods view human error as an endpoint when it is actually a part of a bigger system affecting outcomes.

Recurring Issues

Traditional and simple tools like fishbone diagrams and 5-Whys provide shallow insights. Complex problems require advanced, sophisticated solutions.

High Operating Costs

Recurring issues increase costs by addressing symptoms, not causes. You need to uncover root factors to reduce overall costs.

The need for top-tier problem-solving expertise has never been greater. You need an advanced, cutting-edge Root Cause Analysis system designed to tackle today's complex challenges and drive sustainable results.

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Common RCA Mistakes
—and How BlueDragon Fixes Them

Most organizations make critical errors in their RCA processes:

  • Over-relying on dated tools like 5-Whys and fishbones that are not rigorous enough.
  • Not understanding the difference between data analysis and causal analysis.
  • Playing the "event whack-a-mole" game; trying to solve 1 event at a time.
  • Not accounting for the fact that humans are the infinite variable in any problem.

BlueDragon fixes these mistakes by integrating human behavior analysis with modern problem-solving tools and techniques. Our system helps you uncover the true, deepest-seated root causes and provides strategies that can prevent the recurrence of costly problems.

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How to Do Root Cause Analysis Right:
The BlueDragon Way

BlueDragon transforms the way you approach RCA through a streamlined, three-phase methodology designed to uncover the deepest causes of complex problems.

Phase 1: Critical Thinking

Focus: Gathering, Organizing and Analyzing Evidence and Data

In this phase, BlueDragon guides your team through collecting and organizing all relevant data and conducting a systems inventory, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the problem.  Any type of data analysis tool can also be used in Phase 1, to develop performance insights. The output of Phase 1 is a list of focused, evidence-based lines of inquiry questions.

– What went wrong?
– What evidence do we have?
– What are the symptoms of the problem?

This structured approach ensures a solid foundation for uncovering the true root causes.

Focus: Finding the Deepest-Seated Root Causes and Contributing Factors

Using the lines of inquiry questions developed in Phase 1, we invite the organization’s subject matter experts to participate in a formal cause and effect analysis.  This phase digs deeper to eliminate superficial conclusions and reveal the real reasons behind the issues. 

– Why did these symptoms occur?
– What deeper factors contributed to the problem?
– What are the true latent organizational, programmatic and cultural weaknesses affecting performance? 

This critical phase avoids a common RCA pitfalls by addressing the underlying causes and not just the symptoms.

Focus: Eliminating the causes (not the event) and determining the extent of those causes

Once the root causes are identified, BlueDragon guides your team in developing corrective actions that have a high likelihood of eliminating the root causes and contributors. The most significant of all critical RCA errors is that organizations focus on preventing the one event from recurring.  This is akin to insanity, as humans are an infinite variable that create infinite possible events; we cannot go about solving 1 event at a time.  (This is BlueDragon’s “Event Whack-a-Mole Theory”).   

– What actions will address the root causes?

– How can we prevent this issue from happening again?

– What measures will we use to monitor future performance?

With BlueDragon, you don’t just fix problems—you build resilience for the future. 

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INTRODUCING

BlueDragon

BlueDragon isn’t just another RCA tool; it’s a comprehensive, human-centric problem-solving system that integrates the best of traditional and modern methodologies. 

It helps you solve complex problems faster, more accurately, and with lasting results—no matter the industry or challenge.

Key Benefits:

– Comprehensive RCA: BlueDragon replaces outdated tools like fishbone diagrams and 5-Whys, offering an integrated approach that adapts to any problem.

– Prevents repetitive waste: We focus on solving root causes, not just symptoms, preventing the need for repetitive corrective actions.

– Builds future success: Rather than constantly repairing the past, BlueDragon empowers your team to create lasting solutions that drive future growth.

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What Makes BlueDragon the Most Advanced RCA System?

BlueDragon integrates classic tools like 5-Whys, fishbone diagrams, and timeline analysis with modern methodologies such as Lean, Agile, and the principles of High Reliability Organizations. But we don’t stop at technical solutions—we also focus on human behavior to solve today’s most complex problems.

Here’s how BlueDragon stands apart:

  • Unified approach: No more juggling between different tools. BlueDragon combines everything you need into a single, streamlined process.
  • Modern, scalable framework: Adaptable to any industry, BlueDragon tackles challenges at scale, from small teams to enterprise-level operations.
  • Human behavior insights: We leverage behavioral analysis to help your team work smarter, not harder, addressing the human factors often missed in traditional RCAs.
  • Faster, deeper results: Achieve faster resolutions and deeper insights, reducing the need for repetitive corrective actions.
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Real Results: How BlueDragon Helped Clients Save Millions

Department of Energy

  • Our investigation into a $200 million capital project resulted in a $148 million lawsuit settlement, saving the organization millions in cost overruns and delays.

Government Contractor

  • A regulatory compliance investigation saved a government contractor millions in penalties, fees, and operational costs.

Department of Energy National Laboratory

  • In a two-week investigation, BlueDragon identified deep organizational weaknesses, securing a multi-billion-dollar government contract for the client.
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Our Clients

BlueDragon is in use at some of the most technically challenging sites in the world, including most of the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories and the Nuclear Weapons Complex. ​

What Our Clients Say

Ishikawa Fishbone rose to prominence in the 1940s, and Six Sigma in the 1980s.
Our clients see that today’s hyper-integrated, data-rich society needs a 21st century approach to problem solving.

“My team and I started using BlueDragon in 2019. BlueDragon is a method for conducting root cause analysis and complex problem solving in a disciplined, efficient and accurate manner. I have not utilized a methodology that better identifies the causes of problems and makes sure the causes fit the effects like BlueDragon does. My Team consistently received excellent reviews on BlueDragon causal evaluation reports from our higher headquarters. I recommend BlueDragon as the industry standard, in not only root cause analysis but problem-solving in general. "
David GonzalesLos Alamos National Laboratory (2023)
Rob has done for cause analysis what Motorola did for Six Sigma, clearly and concisely bundled proven RCA tools into an effective method encompassing critical thinking, visual information, and succinct communication of a problem and its deepest seated causes.
Mark AndersonSandia National Laboratory
“Brought the critical thinking and causal analysis methods, logic and approach up to date since we have used older tools for so long and were getting limited results. Very excited to begin applying this method and replacing the older Think Reliability one. Mr. De La Espriella is a great teacher, and I hope to continue learning and growing this method as time goes on.

Everyone at my work site should take this class, including our federal oversight. I loved the class and will recommend it to all the causal analysts at Sandia National Lab."
Jocelyn De LucheSandia National Laboratory
The biggest difference is it gives us a really systematic approach to conduct the causal analysis. A lot of people say, "Where do I start?"

By going out and building the barriers and building the lines of inquiry from there, it made it easier for the team to stay on point and build a comprehensive causal analysis.
Donna MailhotDeputy Director of Management Assurance System Office, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
“The strengths of the BD201E workshop were that the instructor was top-notch, the sharing of stories and experiences, and the teaming. The Breakout sessions were a great experience and challenged us to perform. Breakout sessions also helped to network with other causal analysts.

My overall impression of BD HCA is that it was awesome! It was a great use of 4 days of training, and I would highly recommend this course and methodology/flow.”
Mike KlineSandia National Laboratory
“The BlueDragon Root Cause Analysis process has positive momentum with “pull” from all levels of management.

The use of causal analysis and increase in corrective action plan quality are beginning to show positive results in the consistency and discipline in the CA approach.”
Tim WorrellContractor Assurance Manager at SRNS
"The BlueDragon Root Cause Analysis course is very well structured and professionally laid out much like an MBA course.

First, the concepts are presented and then fun and entertaining team exercises drive home the concepts by challenging the participants with interesting real-world case studies.”
Jay GingrichMBA, PMP
"A great course! Should be folded into the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy and commercial industries.

The BlueDragon approach was fantastic! BlueDragon techniques are a great way to efficiently improve operations and safety. They will help you complete your mission and lower costs."
Martin McBrideRetired, Oak Ridge National Lab

Ready to Transform Your Process & Avoid Common Mistakes in RCA

Stop relying on outdated tools and start solving your toughest challenges with BlueDragon. Improve safety, reduce costs, and achieve real results.

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