Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Efficient and Effective Incident Investigation (Third Edition) [Paperback]

ABS Consulting - Lee N. Vanden Heuvel (Author), Donald K. Lorenzo (Author), Randal L. Montgomery (Author), Walter E. Hanson (Author), and James R. Rooney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1931332517 | ISBN-13: 978-1931332514 | Edition: 3

This Global Classic Is the Most Complete, All-in-One Package
of Book, CD, Diagnostic Map, and Online Resources
Currently Available for Root Cause Analysis (RCA)


It offers the unique breadth, depth and practicality that can only come from six authors with 125+ years of combined international RCA consulting experience. It presents a field-tested system for investigating, categorizing, reporting and trending, and ultimately eliminating the root causes of incidents with quality, reliability, environmental, health, safety, and production-process impacts.

The total package includes:

• 300-page Handbook focusing on rigorous application of structured techniques for both apparent cause analyses and root cause analyses. It includes step-by-step instructions, checklists, and forms for performing an analysis and enables users to effectively incorporate the methodology and apply it to a variety of situations. There are numerous incident, facility and industry specific examples and over 120 figures and tables.



• CD Toolkit, including examples of cause and effect Trees and a sample template; examples of cause and effect Timelines and a sample template; toolkits for Investigating, Data Gathering, Data Analysis, etc.; plentiful forms and checklists; field-tested toolkit ABS Consulting uses in its projects that you can adapt for your own RCA/incident investigation program; and a resource list of recommended books, websites, organizations, etc.



• Root Cause Map (full color wall chart 17 x 22 ) a powerful tool for staff to use in identifying and coding root causes.



• Licensed access to ABS Consulting website for an abundant collection of articles, up to date examples, charts, forms, etc.


Root Cause Analysis Handbook is widely used in corporate training programs and college courses all over the world. If you are responsible for quality, reliability, safety, and/or risk management, you ll want this comprehensive and practical resource at your fingertips.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

LEE N. VANDEN HEUVEL is Manager of Incident Investigation/Root Cause Analysis Services and the Manager of Training Services for ABS Consulting, with 23+ years of experience in plant operations and analysis. He has assisted organizations in many different industries with the development and implementation of incident investigation and root cause analysis (RCA) programs. He has also led and participated in investigations in many types of industries, including chemical, refining, healthcare, manufacturing, drilling, machining, pharmaceuticals, waste disposal, nuclear power, and food processing. Mr. Vanden Heuvel was previously the project manager and lead analyst for a large quantitative risk assessment program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He also worked for 8 years at a nuclear power plant in operations, engineering support, and training. His current responsibilities are in the areas of RCAs, incident investigations, human factors, procedures, safety analyses, and economic/decision analyses. DONALD K. LORENZO is the Director of Training Services for ABS Consulting. He has 28+ years of experience in hazard analysis and risk assessment. He was previously a development engineer for Union Carbide Corporation. Mr. Lorenzo specializes in safety and environmental applications of ABS Consulting s SOURCE methodology. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Tennessee and a Certified Technical Trainer. WALTER E. HANSON is a Project Manager and Risk/Reliability Engineer for ABS Consulting. He has 22+ years of experience in developing, implementing, and managing loss prevention management systems, including mishap investigation, system safety, policy and procedure, training systems, performance measurement, and human factors. At ABS Consulting he works on various risk management projects for the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) and other transportation and maritime clients. He was a primary developer of ABS Consulting s Marine Root Cause Analysis Technique (MaRCAT). LAURA O. JACKSON is a Risk/Reliability Engineer for ABS Consulting. She has been involved in evaluating risks associated with corporate and governmental operations through the development and application of a number of methodologies, including relative risk ranking, risk matrices, enterprise risk management (ERM), project risk management, root cause analysis, & hazard & operability (HAZOP) analysis. She has served on teams that investigated incidents at a variety of commercial facilities, and she has performed comprehensive hazard assessments, including security risk, for the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security. JAMES J. ROONEY is a Senior Risk/Reliability Engineer and Manager of Webinar Training Services for ABS Consulting. He has 25+ years of experience in quality engineering, reliability engineering, risk assessment, and process safety management. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), ASQ-certified HACCP auditor, Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Quality Improvement Associate, Certified Quality Manager, Certified Reliability Engineer and registered Professional Engineer in the state of Tennessee. He specializes in quality & medical applications of the SOURCE(tm) technique. DAVID A. WALKER has been working in the risk management, process safety, loss prevention, incident investigation/root cause analysis, system reliability, & asset integrity management fields for the past 18 years. He is Vice President of Public Sector for ABS Consulting. He is also an instructor for (1) ABS Consulting Training Services, (2) professional societies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Center for Chemical Process Safety, and (3) specialized centers at universities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rothstein Associates Inc.; 3 edition (July 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931332517
• ISBN-13: 978-1931332514
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 11 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable book, April 17, 2011

By 

Christina - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Efficient and Effective Incident Investigation (Third Edition) (Paperback)

The Root Cause Analysis Handbook is in a league of its own for content. The detail found in this book is a rare treat and I must say this has gone to the top of my books in Problem Management. This book is not specific to IT, however this is where I will be using it. Those knowledgable in ITIL will have no difficulty in applying the information in this book. I will be looking for any other books they publish.

5.0 out of 5 stars Root Cause Analysis Handbook, February 11, 2012

By 

Bill - See all my reviews

This review is from: Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Efficient and Effective Incident Investigation (Third Edition) (Paperback)

This is, without a doubt, the best book I have seen on problem solving. Not only does the book guide you through the process, it also provides a root cause map you can use to navigate through any problem. I have yet to encounter a problem it does not cover. It is specific enough to guide you to a true root cause and also general enough to use in any business. The support material is first rate. I use this book for quality problems and find it highly effective in helping supervisors and managers work through problems identify true root causes.

Well done to ABS Consulting!