– An alphabetical reference that defines each potential root cause node on the tree. For example, if the tree leads to a cause labeled "Training Deficiency," the dictionary specifies sub-types such as "lack of initial training," "lack of refresher training," or "ineffective training method."
Your team creates a timeline. You discover that a cooling water valve was closed manually and never reopened after a filter change.
Because the dictionary gives a precise definition, your fix is not “retrain operator” but rather “install a valve lockout/tagout that requires a secondary check after any interruption.”
The dictionary entry for “Interruption during task sequence” includes a “clean cause” test:
To understand the dictionary, it is essential to see how it fits into the broader investigation workflow:
Furthermore, many organizations are moving toward – where each cause entry is hyperlinked to internal examples, videos, or past investigations. This transforms a static dictionary into a dynamic knowledge base.