Has the NATA accepted your first response to an assessment report? Great! But, with the introduction of the new reporting format, NATA can reject many responses as they haven’t involved adequate root causes.
If you are struggling with how to get ready for NATA accredited calibration analysis, you are in the right place.
We will help you throughout your root cause analysis process via various steps and techniques.
So let’s get started!
Be Honest
You don’t need to have some typical technical issues. It could be a person who didn’t know about performing a particular task. In such a case, the root cause can be poor work instruction, lack of communication about the changes among staff members, and poor work instructions.
Sometimes, issues addressed by NATA are probably an issue that is someone gets in and inadvertently changes the test result. Therefore, your root cause analysis for this case might state that you weren’t aware of the fact that it could be that risk that you should address it previously. Or you might also say that this issue was overlooked by you at the time of process designing.
Another cause for non-conformity is when the latest requirements are listed by regulators or standard writing bodies. Honestly write that you had not updated to latest regulatory requirements. These root causes can be addressed simply and effectively.
Give Useful Answers
Don’t just tell the NATA that the root cause of every issue was “human error” majorly.
To err is human and it’s difficult to have full control over it. Focus on process investigation and see which changes can make it right every time. Fixing human includes numerous steps like extra checks, removing a few steps from the process, including checklists, incorporating automation, and much more. If you can’t think of a fruitful solution for the root cause, probably don’t document it for NATA accredited calibration.
Implement these Tools
If you are stuck with root cause analysis, here are some tools for you:
- 5 Whys
Ask ‘why’ until you get to a root cause, which can be fixed. There are five Whys you should be considering.
Let’s take an example of staff having cheat sheets or unauthorized copies instead of depending on the manual. In this issue you will ask:
- Why instructions are not in the manuals?
- Why manuals are difficult to find?
- Why printed copies are removed by the quality manager?
- Why NATA viewed the previously printed version of methods at the assessment?
- Why there is no time to update 200 printed copies?
- Flowchart
A particular cause is discoverable with flowcharts. The entire process includes non-conformance and you can easily pinpoint where the weak points are. Then, identify who was involved at a specific point and input. Sometimes, creating this flowchart is enough to reach to the root cause.
- Fishbone Analysis
When nothing works out, try the cause-and-effect diagram, which looks like a fish’s skeleton. This representation is helpful for managers to point out defects, failures, variations, and imperfections. Problems are on the head and the feed is into the spine leading to the head.
Found it useful? Well, thank us later!
So get the most out of your NATA Accredited Calibration by finding the right root cause.
