Here is a story followed by a multiple choice question for everyone to opine and discuss:

 

You might have heard this story of a Washington Monument where erosion had reached worrisome levels. The erosion at this specific monument was much faster as compared to other similar monuments.

• Cause analysis showed that a strong chemical was needed to clean pigeon poops and there was no alternative. This cleaning chemical was leading to erosion. 
• The reason for the presence of pigeons in large numbers was next analyzed. It was found that Pigeons like Spiders. Spiders were present in large numbers. 
• As the focus shifted to spiders, it was found that spiders were around due to Gnats (a type of insect) as Spiders prey on Gnats.
• Gnats reached the monument daily as they are attracted to artificial light at the time of dusk. Lights at this monument were usually turned on before dusk.

 

So, it was thought that in turning lights on only after dusk should work effectively, so that Gnats do not appear to attract Spiders, absence of whom shall keep Pigeons away, that leads to no Pigeon poops so that the chemical and therefore erosion is avoided. This solution of turning the lights on only after dusk was implemented. It was found that the Pigeon poops stopped appearing on the monument and the cleaning chemicals was no more required. Observations over a period of time showed that the Monument's erosion patterns now matched those of other similar monuments and the experts concluded that the problem is completely solved. 

 

QUESTION - When we do root cause analysis, the causes can be of two types:

• Necessary cause(s): In absence of such cause, the event cannot happen.
• Sufficient cause(s): If this cause is present, the event shall surely occur.

 

 

In the above stated Monument's example of problem-solving, which set of the following causes do you think to meet both the criteria (of being necessary and sufficient), for the next event?  Please refer to the figure above to answer this question.

1. A, B, C, D, and E
2. A, B, C, D, and F
3. A, B, D, E, and F
4. A, C, D, E, and F
5. B, C, D, E, and F
6. All A, B, C, D, E, and F

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3.      A, B, D, E, and F

It was found that Pigeons like Spiders. Spiders were present in large numbers. 

Pigeons could like several other insects too. Though other insects are in smaller numbers than spiders, pigeons will still be around.

6.      All – A, B, C, D, E, and F

I guess it is, 6. All -  A, B, C, D, E and F..

 

assuming that these are the only reasons for an action to happen...

2.      A, B, C, D, and F

Option 6.      All – A, B, C, D, E, and F

 

As artificial light attracts gnats which attracts spiders, which attracts pigeons and pigeons poop. To clean, chemical is required. 

Hard to omit any step in the sequence of events.

I think , it is 

2.   A, B, C, D, and F

 

E is not a sufficient condition.

6.All A,B,C,D,E & F

I guess point 5 covers both necessary and sufficient cause

 

5.      B, C, D, E, and F

6.All A,B,C,D,E & F

6.      All – A, B, C, D, E, and F. Hope so...

1.  A, B, C, D, and E

 

artificial light at the time of dusk

Gnats attracted 

spider attracted 

Pigeons like Spiders 

pigeon poops

 

So, here main root cause is with the artificial light at the time of dusk.if we have the alternate solution for this we can avoid all the problems .

 

Regards

Madan Mohan Pampara

 

1.  A, B, C, D, and E

A, B, C, D, and E
 

Option 1 - A,B,C,D and E

ABCDE

Here is a story followed by a multiple choice question for everyone to try.

 

You might have heard this story of a Washington monument where erosion had reached worrisome levels. The erosion at this specific monument was much faster as compared to other similar monuments.

 

·        Cause analysis showed that a strong chemical was needed to clean pigeon poops and there was no alternative. This cleaning chemical was leading to erosion.

·        The reason for presence of pigeons in large numbers was next analysed. It was found that Pigeons like Spiders. Spiders were present in large numbers. 

·        As the focus shifted to spiders, it was found that spiders were around due to Gnats (a type of insect) as Spiders prey on Gnats.

·        Gnats reached the monument daily as they are attracted to artificial light at the time of dusk. Lights at this monument were usually turned on before dusk.

 

So, it was thought that in turning lights on only after dusk should work effectively, so that Gnats do not appear to attract Spiders, absence of whom shall keep Pigeons away, that leads to no Pigeon poops so that the chemical and therefore erosion is avoided. This solution of turning the lights on only after dusk was implemented. It was found that the Pigeon poops stopped appearing on the monument and the cleaning chemicals was no more required. Observations over a period of time showed that the Monument's erosion patterns now matched those of other similar monuments and the experts concluded that the problem is completely solved. 

 

QUESTION

 

When we do root cause analysis, the causes can be of two types

• Necessary cause(s) – In absence of such cause, the event cannot happen.

Sufficient cause(s) – If this cause is present, event shall surely occur. 

 

In the above stated Monument's example of problem solving, which set of the following causes do you think meet both the criteria (of being necessary and sufficient), for the next event. Please refer to the figure above to answer this question.

 

1.      A, B, C, D, and E

2.      A, B, C, D, and F

3.      A, B, D, E, and F

4.      A, C, D, E, and F

5.      B, C, D, E, and F

6.      All – A, B, C, D, E, and F

 

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Option 1

1. A, B, C, D, and E

 

The assumption here is that, these are the only causes that decide the action. 

F is not included, so we do not seal the possibility of any other innovative solution.

Here is a story followed by a multiple choice question for everyone to try.

 

You might have heard this story of a Washington monument where erosion had reached worrisome levels. The erosion at this specific monument was much faster as compared to other similar monuments.

 

·        Cause analysis showed that a strong chemical was needed to clean pigeon poops and there was no alternative. This cleaning chemical was leading to erosion.

·        The reason for presence of pigeons in large numbers was next analysed. It was found that Pigeons like Spiders. Spiders were present in large numbers. 

·        As the focus shifted to spiders, it was found that spiders were around due to Gnats (a type of insect) as Spiders prey on Gnats.

·        Gnats reached the monument daily as they are attracted to artificial light at the time of dusk. Lights at this monument were usually turned on before dusk.

 

So, it was thought that in turning lights on only after dusk should work effectively, so that Gnats do not appear to attract Spiders, absence of whom shall keep Pigeons away, that leads to no Pigeon poops so that the chemical and therefore erosion is avoided. This solution of turning the lights on only after dusk was implemented. It was found that the Pigeon poops stopped appearing on the monument and the cleaning chemicals was no more required. Observations over a period of time showed that the Monument's erosion patterns now matched those of other similar monuments and the experts concluded that the problem is completely solved. 

 

QUESTION

 

When we do root cause analysis, the causes can be of two types

• Necessary cause(s) – In absence of such cause, the event cannot happen.

Sufficient cause(s) – If this cause is present, event shall surely occur. 

 

In the above stated Monument's example of problem solving, which set of the following causes do you think meet both the criteria (of being necessary and sufficient), for the next event. Please refer to the figure above to answer this question.

 

1.      A, B, C, D, and E

2.      A, B, C, D, and F

3.      A, B, D, E, and F

4.      A, C, D, E, and F

5.      B, C, D, E, and F

6.      All – A, B, C, D, E, and F

 

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I believe the answer is 6.

I believe the answer is 6. I see all of them inter related.

6. A,B,C,D,E and F

Option A-   A, B, C, D, and E

Option A-   A, B, C, D, and E

Ans 6 All

Lalit Sharma ABCDF