Defect Root Cause

What is Root Cause Analysis?

Root cause analysis (RCA) is the process of identifying the fundamental, underlying reason a defect occurred, rather than just addressing its immediate symptom.

Common Root Causes of Defects

• Incomplete or ambiguous requirements.
• Design flaws or architectural gaps.
• Coding errors or misunderstandings of requirements.
• Inadequate testing or missed test scenarios.
• Environmental or configuration issues.

Why Root Cause Analysis Matters

Fixing only the symptom of a defect often leads to similar defects recurring elsewhere. Identifying and addressing the true root cause helps prevent entire categories of future defects, improving overall product quality over time.