Based on common root cause taxonomies and public Taproot training materials:
Did the right information reach the right person at the right time?
: Clear explanations of what that specific root cause means in the context of the TapRooT® system.
While the full, latest version of the TapRooT® Dictionary is a proprietary piece of intellectual property usually bundled with software or training, there are several ways to find official free resources:
The Root Cause Tree® is a physical or digital tool that organizes potential causes into a logical hierarchy. It acts as a map for your investigation, ensuring you do not miss hidden systemic factors. The Major Categories of the Tree taproot root cause tree dictionary pdf free
TapRooT® Root Cause Tree Dictionary is an essential guide for investigators to accurately identify why human errors or equipment failures occur. While the full, current version is a copyrighted commercial product, you can access older editions and foundational white papers for free online. Essential Resources & Free PDF Access Archived Editions : An older version of the TapRooT® Root Cause Tree Dictionary
| Code | Category | Short Name | Description (summarized) | |------|----------|------------|--------------------------| | H1 | Human | Skill-based error | Slip or lapse in routine task | | H5 | Human | Violation | Deliberate deviation from procedure | | P2 | Procedure | Inadequate | Procedure missing steps or incorrect | | M3 | Management | Inadequate hazard analysis | Risk assessment failed to identify known hazard |
The TapRooT system is designed to help investigators move past simple "human error" conclusions. The Root Cause Tree serves as a visual, decision-tree guide that leads an investigator from an observed problem (e.g., "a pipe ruptured" or "a medication was mislabeled") down through possible causes—categorizing them as human engineering, procedure, equipment design, or management system failures. The is the indispensable companion to this tree.
Remember: The goal is not just to collect a PDF. The goal is to build a —one where every failure is a lesson, not a blame. The Root Cause Tree Dictionary, even in its free form, is your map to that destination.
It's important to understand that the dictionary is . Using the Tree without the Dictionary is what TapRooT® co-developer Mark Paradies calls "root cause malpractice". It's the tool that provides consistency , prevents guesswork, and helps investigators uncover systemic issues they might otherwise miss.
of the new guard made the task impossible to do right. We set him up to fail." Corrective Action Helper® Guide
The Root Cause Tree® is a structured, graphical decision aid. Think of it like a diagnostic flow chart for organizational failures. When an incident occurs (a spill, an equipment failure, a procedural deviation), you don’t start with "human error." You start with a —an action or condition that directly led to the accident.
A guide to help you find effective fixes, not just "retrain" people. TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis
For each Causal Factor, start at the top of the Root Cause Tree. Answer the 15 high-level screening questions.