Root Cause Analysis Tools for Technical Applications

Day 1

Overview of the root cause analysis (RCA)

• Elements of the RCA 6-step process
• Definition and benefits of RCA
• Key tasks for organizing a successful RCA event
• Defining roles and responsibilities
• Process for identifying and selecting an RCA event

Overview of RCA tools and workshop activities

• 5 Why
• Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram)

Day 2

Overview of RCA tools and workshop activities

• Design and Application Review
• Sequence of events
• Fault tree analysis
• Change analysis

Review tools for managing RCA event and sustaining improvements

• Project Charter
• A3 Report
• Audits

This course is part of the Maintenance and Reliability Management Certificate and Technical Leadership Certificate. Course may be taken individually as well.

Registration Date/Time:
9/17/2025 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 9/17/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Central Time
• 9/18/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Central Time

• Program Director

  Jon Wellik

• George Williams

  CEO

  George is the founder and CEO of ReliabilityX. He has a master’s degree in reliability engineering from Monash University. He began his career working for his father in maintenance – performing PMs on trucks and trailers – while in high school. George spent 16 years with a major pharmaceutical company, where he began as a technician and worked his way up to global asset management. In 2015, George’s global team won the Uptime Award for Best Maintenance and Reliability Program. He is a certified maintenance and reliability professional and certified reliability leader. In 2016, he was recognized by the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals as Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional of the Year. He has earned certifications in vibration analysis, infrared thermography, ultrasound, motion amplification, and plant maintenance management. George is a published author and a recognized leader in reliability. He’s been teaching maintenance and reliability classes for UW-Madison Interdisciplinary Professional Programs since 2010.

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us if you have any questions before registering. 

This course uses the Canvas course management and Zoom platforms. A UW NetID is required to access the online course site. Both in-person and online students should obtain a NetID and access the Canvas course website. Your registration confirmation email will walk you through the NetID process and how to access Canvas.

All materials for this course are digital and will be available on the Canvas course website. Access to the course materials and the webinar platform will be provided a few days before the course. Please watch the email address you provided during registration for release dates and pre-course information. Check your spam file if you do not see emails from the "wisc.edu" addresses. 

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.