1 min read
Continuous Improvement Through RCA: Part 3 - Analysis
On this episode of our multi-part series, Larry begins to Analyze the incident using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process...
2 min read
Larry Olson | CMRP, CRL, CAMA
:
Updated on August 12, 2026
Welcome back to our multi-part series on Continuous Improvement through Root Cause Analysis (RCA). On this episode, Larry begins to break down the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process by focusing on the Define phase. Tune in for part 1 as Larry walks us through a DMAIC RCA approach to solving a single problem.
Missed the intro episode for this multi-part series? Get up to speed and listen as Larry sets the scene and introduces some of the basics of RCA; such as techniques/tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, Cause Mapping, FMEA, PDAC, A3) and the DMAIC process.
Connect with Larry Olson on LinkedIn!
Welcome to APM On Air, a podcast that brings the connection between excellence and knowledge. Join host Larry Olson, CEO/President of Nexus Global, as he explores what continuous improvement looks like through the 5 domains of Asset Performance Management (APM); Leadership, Data Management, Work Management, Strategy Management, and Investigation Management. With a variety of educational series, special guests, and real-world case studies, each episode provides new insights, challenges, and perspectives on the road to reliability.
Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest episodes and more amazing content!
Are you an industry leader in maintenance, reliability, or asset performance management? Share your insights as a featured guest on our podcast. Email us to sign up!
The Define phase is the first step in the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process. Its purpose is to clearly establish the problem being investigated, its scope, its impact, and the desired outcome before collecting data or determining root causes.
Learn more about using DMAIC and RCA together.
Clearly defining the problem gives an RCA investigation a specific focus and helps prevent teams from jumping to conclusions or investigating the wrong issue. A strong problem definition establishes what happened, where it occurred, the impact of the event, and the boundaries of the investigation.
Explore Nexus Global's approach to Investigation Management.
After Define comes the Measure phase. During Measure, the investigation moves from defining the problem to gathering relevant data and evidence about the incident or process. That information provides the foundation for analyzing potential root causes.
Continue to Continuous Improvement Through RCA: Part 2 – Measure.
1 min read
On this episode of our multi-part series, Larry begins to Analyze the incident using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process...
1 min read
For the final episode of our multipart series on Continuous Improvement through Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Larry completes the last two steps of the ...
1 min read
Everyone should be using Continuous Improvement as an ongoing effort to improve equipment reliability, services, and processes. On this episode, host...