REPLY Definition of root cause (SD6782)

[SDMAIL nickols at att.net]

Posted by  "nickols at att.net" <nickols at att.net>


Re Jack Homer's post

I agree with Jack's assertion that searching for "root" or "real" or 
"true" causes in complex social systems is a fruitless endeavor.  Not 
only is there no end to the forces at play, they are also changing over 
time.  Note also that Jack is careful to separate complex social systems 
from engineered (what I take to be "physical") systems (e.g, a 
production line).

I think there is too much testimony to the efficacy of a quest for root 
cause to dismiss it out of hand but I also believe that it is a concept 
(and a technique) that is far from universally applicable.

Regards,

Fred Nickols
Posted by  "nickols at att.net" <nickols at att.net>
posting date  Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:15:50 +0000