Latent Cause Analysis™
Comments from
The Latent Cause Experience™
“This has been one of the most significant weeks in my life….”
“This is the most worth-while seminar I’ve had in my 23 years here….”
“Everyone in our company should experience this course….”
"I liked highlighting how ignoring small failures leads to major failures. The points about latency and culture were right on target."
"I liked the energy and passion that was expressed. The discussion was awesome, great dialogue."
"I liked the challenging thoughts. You could call this a leadership course."
"I liked this process because it focused on fixing a failure, NOT blaming the cause of that failure."
"I liked this class. It was way different that I thought it was going to be. It opens your eyes to look at things differently."
What is Latent Cause Analysis?
Latent Cause Analysis (LCA) is an excellent tool for organizations that want to improve human and organizational performance. LCA helps transform the organization’s mindset by changing the way people view failure and its causes. It's a process that encourages people to focus on understanding the true causes of problems instead of simply blaming someone for them. This approach utilizes learning groups to improve communication and transforms the way people think about failures, problems, and incidents, both in the workplace and at home.
The Origin of Latent Cause Analysis™
Failsafe Network's Latent Cause Analysis™ methods were born in the chemical industry, starting in the mid 1970's. Initially, our methods focused on understanding the physics of our problems. Over time, however, it became apparent that people are ultimately responsible for the things they create, whether it is equipment, process, or system related. While our process continues to address the "physics" of our problems, we've introduced the Latent Cause Analysis™ approach to go beyond the physics and require people to see themselves as part of their problems.
What Are Latent Causes?
It is imperative that we understand the concept of latency. Without a clear grasp of the impact that latency has on our organizations, we cannot hope to make meaningful improvements. Latency is the launchpad to transforming our culture.
Latent Causes are often overlooked, veiled, or hidden, yet they are powerful influences that affect people's tendencies and decisions that contribute to an incident. ALL people will be influenced, which is why a change in a few individuals has little impact on a change in incidents. An organization must address latent causes to effect lasting change.
Using LCA, one is able to identify the critical causes of an incident and understand how to address them to prevent recurring problems. The bottom-line results are fewer problems and changed people, thus an improved work culture.
Ban Blame Short
"This method [Latent Cause Analysis] addresses it all, but in the most effective way I’ve ever seen. It addresses the Physical Causes of our problems, as well as the Human and Latent Causes. I never knew anything like this existed. It’s the missing link.”
- HSE Manager
More about Latent Cause Analysis
We have been assisting organizations and individuals in learning from things that go wrong and recognizing warning signs of significant events before they turn into serious problems since 1985. Sadly, few take action to prevent issues and often only react after problems occur. Our incident investigations reveal that people are always aware of warning signs. They may not understand the severity of these issues and therefore do not act on them, or if they do act, their attempts to communicate potential dangers are frequently ignored amid busy work environments. It’s frustrating to realize in hindsight that warning signs were known but not acted upon, which could have prevented loss of life and injuries. In every incident, there is always someone, and usually more than one, who did something wrong that contributed to the event. This could be an operator, mechanic, or manager involved in the incident. When we conduct a Latent Cause Analysis, we often find evidence of the problem well before the accident. This evidence was neither recognized, communicated, nor acted upon until after the incident investigation, when it became fully understood.
Using the Latent Cause Analysis process, as taught by Failsafe Network, organizations will learn to continuously identify warning signs, reduce risks, and gather relevant data - referred to as Organizational Latent Causes - to detect emerging problems before they lead to death, injury, or significant property damage. Tracking latent causes within an organization helps forecast and address issues proactively, preventing incidents and complementing traditional investigations when accidents happen.
A key principle of LCA is its nonpunitive approach to investigation and reporting, which applies across the entire organization. The LCA process is highly effective and easily scalable for events or worksites of any size. The ultimate aim is to foster a Latent Cause Mentality—where the organization’s culture is free from blame and continually on the lookout for warning signs. Actively working to reduce risks to avoid bigger problems. Regardless of organizational size, it is both feasible and essential to develop a Latent Cause Mentality to identify hazards early and respond effectively.
Failsafe offers training to meet your needs. We specialize in on-site seminars tailored to your organization's needs, with travel included for convenience. If your group is smaller or you are not in a position to host a seminar we do offer private virtual alternatives:
Host an exclusive 4-day Latent Cause Experience™ seminar
Live Private Virtual Training
Latent Cause Analysis Training Options
The Latent Cause Analysis Video Series
