Investigation and root-cause analysis
The Diagnostic
What is actually causing the problem?
I investigate an unclear or recurring problem, compare explanations and distinguish symptoms from causes before you choose a response.
When this is useful.
Actions keep closing but the problem returns, accounts conflict, or nobody can explain why an apparently sensible process is failing.
When another approach may fit
Where the cause is already established and agreed, practical intervention may be more useful. An investigation without access to evidence may only establish the gaps.
The decision this supports
A supported explanation of the problem, competing hypotheses and priorities for action or further investigation. The work cannot guarantee commercial success or remove uncertainty.
What I do and what you receive
- Agree the problem, its consequences and the boundaries of the investigation.
- Trace decisions and events through documents, data and stakeholder conversations.
- Set out findings, alternative explanations, evidence gaps and prioritised next steps.
You provide an accountable sponsor, relevant records and access to the people needed for the agreed work. We agree exclusions, evidence access and who can use the findings before starting. Additional work needs an agreed change of scope.
Relevant previous work
Illustrative output: an evidence map linking a recurring symptom to possible causes, corroborating evidence and unresolved questions.
Examine the case and its limitsScope, timing and fees
A defined investigation on a proposed scoped fixed-fee basis.
Scoped proposal; fee agreed before work begins. Plus VAT where applicable.
The period examined, quality of records, number of stakeholders and disputed explanations affect the scope. Timing depends on the agreed work, evidence access, stakeholder availability and dependencies. The proposal sets out inclusions, exclusions and arrangements for changes; no standard turnaround is promised.
Can you identify a single root cause?
Sometimes. Several conditions may interact, and the evidence may not support a single explanation. I make that distinction explicit.
What if the evidence changes the scope?
I explain what has changed and its implications. We agree whether to revise the work, obtain further evidence or stop before making further commitments.
Read before deciding
Why do the same governance or delivery problems keep recurring?Also consider The Intervention: remediation, recovery and practical implementation.
Discuss your situation