Post 3: Barrier Thinking—Even When Nothing Went Wrong

Sharpening the Saw Series

What if your best root cause tools could help you prevent problems, not just solve them?

If you've been trained in cause analysis, you’ve used barrier analysis to understand how and why things went wrong. But here’s the secret: the most effective analysts don't wait for a failure to start thinking about barriers.

They apply barrier thinking daily—during observations, planning, conversations, and walkdowns—to reduce risk and reinforce reliability.

Let’s talk about how you can do the same.

Post 2: Using Problem Statements to Cut Through the Noise

Sharpening the Saw Series

In the field or the conference room, the quality of your problem definition determines the quality of your solution.

That’s why one of the most powerful tools a trained cause analyst can use daily—whether or not there’s a formal event—is the problem statement.

It’s deceptively simple. But when used well, it cuts through assumptions, aligns mental models, and focuses people on what matters.

Let’s revisit this foundational tool with a fresh lens—and explore how to use it in real-world, “non-event” situations.

Overview

This blog series aims to reinforce and extend WD Associates’ Cause Analysis training by helping analysts apply investigation tools in daily work—even when not assigned to a formal RCA. Each post offers actionable insights, examples, and prompts for self-reflection or team discussion.

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Thinking Like an Analyst – Every Day

Sharpening the Saw Series, Post 1

If you've been through WD’s Cause Analysis training, you’ve walked the path of asking why things go wrong, how they could have been prevented, and what actions make a difference. But here's the challenge: How do you keep those skills sharp when you're not actively working a root cause?