root cause

root cause

The most fundamental, central, or basic causal element of something. Violence in this part of town is rampant, but the root cause is really poverty and the wide distribution of narcotics. You're never going to solve your company's financial issues if you can't identify the root cause of your flagging sales.
See also: cause, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the ˌroot ˈcause (of something)

the main cause of something, such as a problem or difficult situation: Poverty is the root cause of most of the crime in the city.
See also: cause, root
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the root cause
  • get to the root of (something)
  • get to the root of something
  • root (something) in (something)
  • root in
  • root up
  • ground on (something)
  • pull for
  • pull for (someone or something)
  • in your element
References in periodicals archive
The Root Cause experience suggests one route to do so: build on local groups that can better situate local people of color to enter larger protests as a unified block with an audible and authentic voice.
bishops to discuss the root causes of the crisis, beginning with homosexuality.
For both conditions (inherent eczema and steroid-induced eczema), one root cause is constant: identifying and addressing the trigger factors that are causing the inherent eczema so that the condition is managed, and to stop one condition from leading to another.
In Lean, we call this the "five whys." Ask why at least five times to start digging deeper into issues to pinpoint the true root cause of a problem.
Offered by Bosch subsidiary, Huttlin, the aim is to evaluate existing machine data more effectively to identify and eliminate root causes.
A common mistake in corrective action is confusing a symptom with a root cause. Hasty investigations do not assess the issue thoroughly enough and only uncover the results of an issue.
Just like in the 8D problem solving concept, after visiting Gemba, first order of business is to take immediate interim containment action, then work on a root cause. After these steps, permanent corrective actions can be verified and validated.
End-user error stems from social engineering attacks in which people are duped into taking dangerous actions, but it also arises from simple mistakes with no real precipitating root cause other than lack of attention or being rushed to complete a task.
Root cause analysis is about predicting the future likelihood and consequences of a particular cause based on the data that exist about previous, similar cause-and-effect relationships.
has introdeuced the latest version of SIOS iQ machine learning analytics software, which has new features that deliver unparalleled accuracy and precision in capacity utilization and performance root cause analysis for VMware environments.
One of the best methods to use is root cause analysis.
I believe, without exception, no political leader has had the courage to address the root cause of this problem.
However, there is other factor which is not mentioned in the reports which is who is responsible for the root cause of the problem - the lack of trained staff.
I broadly labeled such an accident as having poor risk management as its main root cause. If no significant hazard(s) were identified, or the pilot could not have identified them and would have lost control of the aircraft anyway, the accident was labeled as skill-related or resulting some other non-risk management-related reason.
This inconsistent role of shifting positions without regards to the root cause and for apparent reasons has been a significant factor in delaying resolution of the conflict," Tut said on Friday.