Root Cause Analysis Template

The Root Cause Analysis Template is an Excel workbook that guides construction teams through a structured Five Whys investigation process. The incident details sheet captures reference number, location, date, severity classification and impact description, establishing the context for the investigation before analysis begins.

The guided five-step questioning sheet walks the investigator from the initial problem statement through each successive Why, with space to record evidence, assumptions and reasoning at each level until the root cause is identified. This structured approach ensures investigations go deep enough to find systemic causes rather than stopping at surface symptoms.

A corrective and preventive action (CAPA) tracker records each action arising from the investigation with named owner, priority level, target due date and verification status, ensuring actions are followed through to completion. The evidence and verification log provides a place to record supporting documents, photographs, witness statements and test results for audit-ready documentation. A change log tracks material amendments to the investigation record. The template is designed for site managers, H&S advisors and quality managers conducting incident investigations on construction projects.