ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
Priority Labs provides independent root cause analysis to identify the underlying failure mechanism(s), contributing factors, and corrective actions for product, component, and process failures. Our approach is technically rigorous and documented clearly to support engineering decisions, quality improvements, and supplier accountability.
Objective investigation. Actionable conclusions.
What Is Root Cause Analysis?
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a structured method used to determine why a failure occurred — not just what happened. We combine evidence preservation, test planning, analytical evaluation, and engineering judgment to isolate the true failure mechanism and the conditions that enabled it.
RCA is often performed alongside failure analysis and materials characterization, especially when results must be defensible for quality systems, customer reporting, or dispute resolution.
Failure Mechanism Identification
Determine the physical or electrical mechanism driving the failure (overstress, fatigue, corrosion, contamination, defect, process variation, etc.).
Contributing Factor Analysis
Identify the conditions that allowed the failure to occur (environment, handling, assembly, design margin, supplier variation, process drift, intermittent exposure).
Corrective Action Support
Translate findings into practical corrective actions (design changes, process controls, screening, supplier corrective actions, incoming inspection, reliability improvements).
Documentation for Stakeholders
Clear, well-structured reporting for engineering leadership, customers, suppliers, legal counsel, or insurance matters when needed.
Our Root Cause Analysis Process
- Initial consultation and scope definition
- Background review, evidence preservation, and test planning
- Inspection and analytical evaluation (non-destructive first when possible)
- Hypothesis testing and mechanism confirmation
- Root cause statement, contributing factors, and recommendations
- Clear reporting and next-step support
Who We Support
- Manufacturers and product design teams
- Quality, reliability, and supplier engineering groups
- Field service and warranty teams
- Legal counsel and insurance professionals