A Rant

Obfuscate – render obscure, unclear or unintelligible, bewilder. (The New Oxford American Dictionary).

Root Cause Analysis. Root cause analysis is a collective term that describes a wide range of approaches, tools, and techniques used to uncover causes of problems.

The Five Whys – Why Do I Want To Do This?

I‘d like to rant just a bit today.  My rant is based on the three items listed at the beginning of this post.  These days we are bombarded with information, data, facts, rumors, and flat out made up points of view.

The source and integrity of the information we receive are rarely checked.  We easily accept or agree with points of view that may or may not be helpful or relevant in advancing a particular understanding of an issue.

OBFUSCATION

For instance – we all know that statistics can be used to defend or support just about any position.  We hear something like this – “Congress’ approval rating is hovering near 10%.”  If that statistic supports our point, we accept it without question.  If it does not further our position, we reject it or attempt to contradict it.  The problem though is that we never question the original statistic.  The question we should ask is –  Congress’ approval rating is 10% of what?  10% of registered voters, 10% of people 25 or younger, 10% of a particular geographical location?  By itself, the statistic doesn’t illustrate or prove any fact.

Without some context, we have no idea what the statistic really means or suggests.  The statistic “obfuscates.” the conversation or argument.  The meaning or intent of the use of the statistic is unclear and unintelligible.  The statistic could be used to attack a “do nothing” Congress, or it could be used to motivate voters to demand action from their members of Congress.  It also could be used, for instance, to indicate that Congress’ approval is up from 5% just two weeks ago.  We just don’t know.

Let’s stick with this and discuss it in light of the second issue from above – the root cause analysis.  The process of root cause analysis has many adherents in business, industry, consulting, and other particular venues.  76% of publicly held companies use root cause analysis, IBM and 6Sigma to name just two.  (I just made up that statistic, but if I didn’t admit I had faked this statistic, would you have questioned it?).

When some critical process a particular company or organization implements does not have the result that was hoped for or intended, a root cause analysis process may be employed to get to the source of the issue or issues that caused the results to be less than expected.

ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

For instance, let’s take gun violence.  The solution we most often hear is “let’s make it harder for people to purchase guns in the first place.  That will lower gun violence”.  Laws are passed to require background checks and waiting periods for all the folks who attempt to purchase a gun.  Yet the number of various crimes attributed to the use of firearms in the commission of those crimes does not lessen; in fact, gun violence continues to increase.

I am hoping since I cannot be sure of this, but I am hoping that a root cause analysis is taking place right now to discover a wide range of approaches, tools, and techniques to address and solve the problem of gun violence.  Obfuscation sets in – it’s a mental health problem, it’s accepting that criminals don’t follow the laws that are made, the NRA bribes/supports Congressmen to debate the question but to enact no useful procedures or processes to lessen gun violence.  You and I have heard all the justifications and explanations.

Quickly we can get distracted from finding root causes and instead concentrate only on the effects of gun violence.  We know guns can kill.  But what causes someone to pull a trigger or to consider shooting someone a good option?

Let’s look at another example.  According to studies found via Google searches, since 2004, the following three auto companies have had the most cars recalled.  In order of recall numbers, Ford tops the list with Chevrolet and BMW number two and three.  Even as I write this, I imagine there are folks working overtime at all three of those named automakers trying to determine the root cause of the increasing number of recalls.

THE FIVE WHYS

Finally, and to add a bit of practical help to this post, I want to discuss the five whys.  This is a very simple process for cutting through obfuscation and applying a very form of basic root cause analysis to a variety of problems you and I might encounter.

The other day I read an article written by one of my elected representatives (or an aide writing in the name of the elected official) decrying once again, senseless gun violence.  All the familiar words flowed.  I read, “Our children should be safe as they attend school.   Noone should have to be a victim of irrational, senseless violence.  We must get guns out of the hands of unfit, unhealthy individuals who use guns to intentionally harm others”.  All worthy cliches but there was not a word from that elected official concerning what s/he would propose and see through to the end to solve the issue of gun violence.  Just more obfuscation.

The “five whys” simple root cause analysis might have helped.  1.  Gun violence is on the rise. Why? Ease of procuring guns.  2.  Why is it so easy to obtain guns?  Lax enforcement of already existing gun laws.  3.  Why are the already preexisting gun laws not enforced?  I don’t know!

Here I have to take action.  I have to become informed concerning why existing gun laws are not enforced.  Where do I find the answer to this question?  Without an answer, I can add nothing but hysterics to the conversation.

For illustration only, let’s say that I do get informed and convince myself that gun laws aren’t enforced/effective because there will always be a way to get around the gun laws.  4. Why?  Again, I don’t know!

Again for illustration only, let’s say I go back to work and study this issue until I arrive at an answer – the things that would have to be done to enforce existing gun laws and remove guns from dangerous people is the issue.  So, 5. why don’t we do what is necessary to enforce gun laws and eliminate gun violence?  There is no will to do what it will take.  Why?

Even after just “five whys” we can sense what the root cause of gun violence might be.  That’s why my elected official writes a great article but does not  follow up his/her written words and actually act to solve the problem of gun violence.

But then, we go back to obfuscation and talk about the Second Amendment, racism, mental health issues, the breakdown of the family, on and on.  And we stop thinking about the issue until the next tragedy occurs.  Then we obfuscate all over again and on and on…..

Let the truth be discovered and let us have the strength of character to see the conversation to the end.  Then let’s do something to eliminate the excuses and the talk.  Action, not posturing is required. Finding the root causes and solving the problem for the common good must be our only goal/purpose until the desired result has been met.

Until we uncover and work toward the desired result we seek, nothing will change.  Just more talk, more violence, more tragedy and more obfuscation.

EPILOGUE

But this is a blog site dedicated to hope.  It is a blog site dedicated to noble purposes.  I have hope that women and men of character will find the courage to do the challenging work of solving hard, emotional, unpopular issues for the common good.  I have hope.