Profound - S3 E5 - Donna Knapp - Probable Cause versus Root Cause

S3 E5 - Donna Knapp - Probable Cause versus Root Cause

03/07/23 • 48 min

In this episode, Donna and I discuss what's wrong with the words Root Cause and Root Cause Analysis. Our original thoughts and the differences between the old and new meanings are discussed. Undoubtedly, Dr. Deming's words matter, and we try to figure out what he would have said.

Previous Episode

S3 E4 - John Willis - Why Deming Still Matters (Sample Audio Book)

I'm John Willis (Botchagalupe). For almost ten years, I have been researching and writing a book about Dr. Deming. About two years ago, I got serious about the work, and then the pandemic struck. I should write this book if I ever intend to do so. Two years ago, I started working with a wonderful consultant, Derek Lewis. He has a phenomenal voice that you get to hear. I have worked with him for two years. After about a year of writing, I naively thought I was done. A year later, with five drafts, I could continue for another five years. However, I have finally begun working with a publisher. There will be some excellent news on that front. Hopefully, the audio, final, and Kindle versions will be available this summer. The paperback might not be available until the end of the year due to printing and supply chain issues.

There are two things to note about this edition. One, it is an early version, so there will be changes when we finally produce and publish the production audio version. Two, I used a dramatic version for this edition. To add excitement, I added some voiceovers and minor sound effects. I hope you enjoy listening to this audiobook’s first three chapters. If you would like an early copy to finish the book, please contact [email protected]. However, it won't be a version for distribution. The final version may or may not change.

I hope you enjoy the first three chapters; the actual final book will have 20 chapters, as it stands at 350 pages.

Next Episode

S3 E6 - Mike Harris - Profound Testing

This episode features Mike Harris, a Tester at Geckoboard who self-identifies as a Tester. We discuss how vital Dr. Deming's ideas are to testing, especially around the System of Profound Knowledge, with Mike, who has worked in testing for 20 years. It is another example of Dr. Deming's ideas' relevance in the modern era.
Here's a summary:
Introducing Mike Harris.
0:02

Deming’s journey of profound knowledge and the importance of systems thinking.
5:22

How do we verify what we think we know?
11:20

Driving out fear in your team.
17:36

The tyranny of the prevailing style of management and how to break it.
23:45

What is agile? How did it start?
29:31

Words matter to Deming.
37:42

Do you find that most people in the testing community don’t have a clear operational definition?
43:30
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-citp-mbcs-5a75733/
https://testandanalysis.home.blog/

Profound - S3 E5 - Donna Knapp - Probable Cause versus Root Cause

Transcript

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To illustrate a system that was not tampered with, but was incredibly improved. And by reduced variation is the Lego story, you would think that Legos are very simple, but due to the nature of how they fit together, it is incredibly complex system to the point where they have to reinforce the steel they can be no variation from any sort of minor seismic movements or street