Problem Definition | Causal Pathways | Effective Solutions | Implementation
Apollo Root Cause Analysis Methodology
A structured cause-and-effect approach for investigating complex, significant and recurring problems.
- Structured cause-and-effect analysis
- Evidence used to test important causal relationships
- Supported by RC Pro™ for charting, collaboration and reporting
What Is Apollo Root Cause Analysis?
A Structured Method for Solving Complex Problems
Apollo Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a structured problem-solving methodology developed around cause-and-effect logic.
Rather than reducing a complex problem to a single linear chain, Apollo RCA helps investigation teams identify multiple causal relationships and test important assumptions against available evidence.
The method is particularly useful for:
- recurring equipment failures
- high-consequence operational problems
- production losses
- significant incidents
- multi-department or cross-functional problems
- issues where several causes interact
The objective is not simply to identify a single “root cause”.
It is to build a sufficiently complete causal explanation of the problem so that the most effective solutions can be developed against the causes identified.
A Cause-and-Effect Approach to Problem Solving
Apollo RCA is based on the principle that problems occur through combinations of causes and conditions.
The investigation team develops these relationships visually so that the logic can be reviewed, challenged and supported with evidence.
This makes the reasoning behind the investigation transparent.
Rather than asking only: “What was the root cause?”
Apollo RCA encourages teams to ask:
- What had to be true for this event to occur?
- What actions and conditions combined?
- What evidence supports each important causal statement?
- Are there gaps in the logic?
- Which causes can realistically be influenced?
- Which solutions are most likely to reduce recurrence?
Developed by Dean Gano, the Apollo method has been used for structured RCA across a range of asset-intensive and operational environments.
Apollo RCA is supported by RC Pro™, which provides a digital environment for building cause-and-effect charts, documenting evidence and managing investigation outputs.
Apollo Facilitator Training
The Core Principles Behind Apollo RCA
Causes are not linear
Complex problems often involve multiple interacting causes. Apollo RCA is designed to represent these causal pathways rather than forcing the investigation to identify a single cause.
Evidence matters
Important causal relationships should be tested against available evidence rather than accepted because they sound plausible.
Actions and conditions both matter
In Apollo RCA, an effect requires both an action and one or more conditions. Examining both helps the team build a more complete causal explanation.
Solutions should connect to causes
Corrective actions should be linked to identified causes and assessed for likely effectiveness, practicality, cost, risk and ease of verification.
4 Steps to Apollo
Define the Problem
Establish a clear, fact-based understanding: What happened? When? Where? To what extent? A well-defined problem provides the boundary for the investigation.
Build the Cause & Effect Chart
Map contributing causes visually using RCPro®, ensuring logic and clarity. Find the gaps quickly and easily through the process. This is where RC Pro™ becomes instrumental to solving the problem.
Identify Effective Solutions
Eliminate recurrence by targeting causes at the system level, not just symptoms. Using our effective criteria, identify the effective solutions. The goal is not simply to generate more actions. It is to identify actions that meaningfully change the conditions that allowed the problem to occur.
Implement & Verify
Implement and Track your solutions to prevent recurrence. The RCPro® software can support the allocation and tracking of all implemented solutions so you can determine their success. An RCA is not complete simply because the report has been issued.
RC Pro™ and Apollo RCA
RC Pro™ is the software platform used to support Apollo Root Cause Analysis.
It can be used to:
- build and revise cause-and-effect charts
- record evidence and supporting information
- collaborate during facilitated investigations
- document proposed solutions
- assign and track actions
- prepare investigation outputs and reports
During Root Cause Australia training, participants use RC Pro™ as part of the practical application of the Apollo methodology. Each participant receives 12 months of RC Pro™ access as part of the training package, allowing them to continue applying the methodology after the course.
Action Causes and Condition Causes
Action Causes
Things that “just” happened. Actions are events or changes that occurred at a particular moment in time.
Examples might include:
- a valve was opened
- a component was triggered
- a procedure step was skipped
- a machine was turned on
- the person slipped/tripped
- the bolt dropped/fell
The “action” cause is the one that catalyses a change in the condition causes to create the effect.
Condition Causes
Conditions are circumstances that existed before or during the event and enabled an action to produce the resulting effect.
Examples might include:
- inadequate guarding
- incorrect pressure
- poor visibility
- part missing
- unsuitable design
- degraded equipment condition
“Condition” causes are those which have existed over a period of time which could be years, months, days or hours (but didn’t “just” happen).
The effects of complex problems require both an action and one or more conditions to explain the resulting effect. Using action-and-condition logic helps the team “discover” additional causal pathways, expose gaps in the investigation and develop a broader set of potential solutions.
Apollo RCA in Practice
Good RCA Depends on More Than the Method
The quality of an RCA depends on more than the method itself. Good investigations require a clearly defined problem, the right people, relevant evidence, disciplined facilitation and solutions that can actually be implemented.
Learn How to Implement RCA in Your Team
Root Cause Australia teaches Apollo RCA from a practical engineering perspective, with particular emphasis on applying the method to real operational and asset reliability problems.
Root Cause Analysis FAQs
What is Apollo Root Cause Analysis?
Apollo RCA is a structured cause-and-effect problem-solving method used to investigate complex or significant problems by developing causal relationships and testing important assumptions against evidence.
How is Apollo RCA different from 5 Whys?
5 Whys usually follows a relatively linear questioning process. Apollo RCA can represent multiple interacting causal pathways, making it more suitable for complex or recurring problems.
Does Apollo RCA identify one root cause?
Not necessarily. Complex problems often involve multiple contributing causes. Apollo RCA focuses on building a sufficient causal explanation of the event rather than forcing the investigation to identify one single root cause.
What is a cause-and-effect chart?
A cause-and-effect chart visually represents the causal relationships that explain how a problem occurred.
What is RC Pro™?
RC Pro™ is the software platform used to support Apollo RCA cause chart development, evidence documentation and investigation management.
When should Apollo RCA be used?
Apollo RCA is particularly useful for complex, recurring, high-consequence or multi-causal problems where simpler techniques may not provide enough depth.
Can Apollo RCA be used for equipment failures and operational problems?
Yes. Apollo RCA can be applied to a wide range of event-based problems, including equipment failures, process interruptions, production losses, incidents and complex operational problems.
Can you help facilitate an actual RCA after the course?
Yes. Root Cause Australia also provides professional Apollo RCA facilitation for organisations requiring support with significant or complex investigations.
