Finding the root issue, not just the symptoms

Executive overview

Teams often mistake symptoms for problems, tackling surface-level "branches" instead of the underlying root cause. The result: issues get closed but keep recurring.

Fix the root, not the branch — identify the single real issue beneath the noise.

Finding the root issue

• A topic or theme discussed in a meeting is not itself an issue — it contains many issues
• Ask: what is the single root issue underneath this conversation?
• Teams that skip root cause analysis are "throwing darts with their eyes closed"
• Open your eyes and aim for the bullseye: the most valuable point to resolve