We recently announced that as of August 22, 2011, any corrective actions resulting from a non-conformance identified during an audit should be accompanied by a root cause analysis  as part of the corrective action submittal.

Read our August 2011 Newsletter to learn why.

To assist you with this new requirement, we have developed a 5-Why tool which can be used as a simple root cause methodology, or you can submit your own version.

Access our 5-Why Tool.

For more information and background, please read:

• Smithers Advisory #10 "Corrective Actions"
• Smithers Advisory #15 "Determining the Root Cause"
• ANAB Heads Up #137 "Improved Corrective Action Responses"

Our goal is to help our clients' systems and improve our own systems through effective corrective action processes. We believe that you will benefit from using a root cause analysis tool to help you develop a robust corrective action.

Please contact your auditor for any organization-specific questions, or feel free to contact SQA.