Symptoms vs Root Causes Worksheet

Key Concept: A symptom is what you SEE or experience. A root cause is WHY it happens. Fix only the symptom and the problem comes back. Fix the root cause and the problem stays fixed.

Situation / Problem Area:

Date:

Your Name:

Step 1 — What I Observe (The Symptom)

Describe exactly what you see, hear, or measure:

Step 2 — Ask "Why?" (Keep Digging)

For each answer, ask "Why?" again. Base answers on facts, not guesses.

WHY #1

Why is the symptom happening? Evidence/Source:

WHY #2

Why does that happen? Evidence/Source:

WHY #3

Why does that happen? Evidence/Source:

WHY #4

Why does that happen? (if needed)

Step 3 — Root Cause Identified

The real reason this problem occurs (something I can fix permanently):

Verification check: "If we fix this, will the problem stop happening?" ☐ Yes ☐ No — keep digging

Step 4 — My Actions

Containment — What I will do RIGHT NOW to protect production/customers: Corrective Action — How I will fix it permanently:

Owner:

Due Date:

Verified by:

Symptoms vs. Root Causes Worksheet

Step 1 — What I Observe (The Symptom)

Step 2 — Ask "Why?" (Keep Digging)

Step 3 — Root Cause Identified

Step 4 — My Actions