SAFe’s Inspect and Adapt event is where teams and leaders step back, reflect, and look for meaningful ways to get better. At the heart of this is Root Cause Analysis (RCA)—not as a checkbox activity, but as a disciplined, collaborative way to cut through noise and get to the real issues holding back delivery and flow.

Here’s how to use Root Cause Analysis effectively in a SAFe Inspect and Adapt workshop, and why it’s not just for compliance, but for continuous improvement that actually moves the needle.

What Is Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in the SAFe Context?

Let’s break it down: RCA is a structured problem-solving method that helps you dig past surface symptoms and get to the underlying reasons why things go wrong. In the context of a SAFe Inspect and Adapt, it’s the difference between treating a fever and finding out what’s actually causing the infection.

• 5 Whys
• Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram
• Pareto Analysis
• Cause-and-Effect Diagrams

All these are covered in depth in the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification Training, which can give teams a solid foundation in structured problem-solving.

Where Root Cause Analysis Fits in Inspect and Adapt

The SAFe Inspect and Adapt event has three main parts:

1. PI System Demo
2. Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement Review
3. Problem-Solving Workshop (where RCA lives)

The PI System Demo and measurement review set the stage. Teams showcase what’s been delivered and look at key metrics (quality, predictability, velocity, flow). But the real improvement happens in the problem-solving workshop, and that’s where RCA plays the leading role.

The Anatomy of a SAFe Problem-Solving Workshop

Here’s how RCA fits into each phase of the workshop:

1. Identify the Top Problems

The group reviews performance data, team retrospectives, and feedback from stakeholders. Through voting or consensus, they agree on the most pressing issues to tackle. These aren’t gripes or wishlists—they’re blockers to flow or business value.

This step is easier when Product Owners and Scrum Masters have solid training, like the SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) Certification, which helps in framing problems with clarity.

2. Apply Root Cause Analysis

Now, the team deep-dives into the biggest issue using RCA tools. Here’s what it looks like in practice:

• State the Problem Clearly: For example, “Stories are not getting accepted until the end of the PI.”
• Ask “Why?” Five Times: Each answer digs a layer deeper, avoiding blame and focusing on process or system factors.
• Map Causes Visually: Tools like Fishbone diagrams can help teams see the relationships between causes—whether it’s a bottleneck in hand-offs, unclear acceptance criteria, or poor test automation.
• Validate with Data: Real data from your agile project management tool or value stream metrics add objectivity. This is where metrics discussed in the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master Certification Training become useful.

3. Develop Countermeasures

You’ve found the root. Now, brainstorm targeted solutions—not generic process tweaks. For example, if the root cause is unclear requirements, the countermeasure could be better backlog refinement or explicit Definition of Ready criteria.

4. Implement and Track Improvements

Agree on who owns the action items and how you’ll measure success next PI. This is where Release Train Engineers shine, so consider upskilling your leaders with SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification Training.

Root Cause Analysis: Practical Example in I&A

Let’s walk through an example, step by step:

Problem Statement
“Frequent unplanned work derails sprint goals.”

• Why 1: Why does unplanned work happen so often?
  Because requirements change late in the sprint.
• Why 2: Why do requirements change late?
  Because stakeholders don’t see working software until review meetings.
• Why 3: Why don’t stakeholders see software earlier?
  Because demos aren’t scheduled mid-sprint.
• Why 4: Why aren’t demos scheduled?
  Teams believe there’s not enough ready to show.
• Why 5: Why is there not enough ready?
  Work is not broken down small enough for incremental delivery.

Root Cause: Poor backlog refinement and story slicing.
Countermeasures:

• Start mid-sprint demos.
• Train teams on story slicing techniques (covered in the SAFe Scrum Master Certification).
• Review Definition of Ready and Done.

Best Practices for Effective RCA in Inspect and Adapt

• Foster Psychological Safety
  RCA will only work if team members can speak honestly, without fear of blame. Leaders set this tone. If your teams struggle here, consider coaching sessions or more training on facilitation.
• Use Data, Not Opinions
  Bring in actual cycle time, defect rates, and flow metrics. You can learn more about tracking the right numbers through external resources on agile metrics.
• Rotate Facilitators
  Having different people lead RCA sessions—maybe someone who’s been through SAFe Scrum Master Certification—keeps the process fresh and prevents groupthink.
• Document and Share Outcomes
  Store RCA diagrams, findings, and action items somewhere visible. Teams need to see progress, not just talk about problems every PI.
• Close the Loop
  At the next Inspect and Adapt, check if your countermeasures worked. Celebrate wins, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something didn’t land.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Jumping to solutions before identifying the true root.
• Blaming people instead of processes.
• Neglecting to follow up on action items.
• Treating RCA as a one-time fix—real improvement is iterative.

If you find your sessions falling into any of these traps, it might be time to revisit facilitation basics or get a fresh perspective from a Release Train Engineer.

Wrapping Up: Why RCA Matters in SAFe

Root Cause Analysis isn’t a buzzword—it’s how organizations keep their agile journey on track, learn from mistakes, and systematically get better at delivering value. Used properly in SAFe Inspect and Adapt, RCA can shift the culture from firefighting to true problem-solving.

If you want to sharpen your team’s skills further, the Leading SAFe Agilist Certification Training and SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) Certification are good places to start.

For a deeper dive on effective facilitation and RCA methods, check out Harvard Business Review’s guide to root cause analysis or SAFe’s official Inspect and Adapt guidance.

Summary Table: RCA Steps in SAFe Inspect & Adapt

Step	Action	Who’s Involved	Tools/Techniques
Identify Top Problems	Vote/select blockers	Teams, RTE, POs, SMs	Dot voting, metrics review
Root Cause Analysis	Dig deep using 5 Whys/Fishbone	Cross-functional teams, facilitator	5 Whys, Fishbone, data
Develop Countermeasures	Brainstorm and prioritize solutions	Teams, RTE, POs	Impact/Effort matrix
Implement & Track	Assign owners, set measures of success	Teams, RTE, leadership	Action tracker, follow-up

Key Takeaway: Use Root Cause Analysis at every Inspect and Adapt—not because it’s required, but because it’s the fastest way to stop repeating mistakes, build trust, and deliver real business value, every Program Increment.

If you want more hands-on practice, the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master Certification Training includes advanced techniques for facilitating RCA. And if you’re aiming to lead I&A events at scale, look at SAFe Release Train Engineer Certification Training.

 

Also read - How to Facilitate a SAFe Inspect and Adapt Event

Also see - Measuring Success in SAFe Inspect and Adapt Workshops