Root Cause Analysis Solver Engine (informally RCASE) is a proprietary
algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm () is a finite sequence of rigorous instructions, typically used to solve a class of specific problems or to perform a computation. Algorithms are used as specifications for performing ...
developed from research originally at the
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at
Warwick University
, mottoeng = Mind moves matter
, established =
, type = Public research university
, endowment = £7.0 million (2021)
, budget = £698.2 million (2020 ...
. RCASE development commenced in 2003 to provide an automated version of
root cause analysis
In science and engineering, root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems. It is widely used in IT operations, manufacturing, telecommunications, industrial process control ...
, the method of problem solving that tries to identify the root causes of faults or problems. RCASE is now owned by the spin-out company Warwick Analytics where it is being applied to automated predictive analytics software.
Algorithm
The algorithm has been built from the ground up to be particularly suitable for the following situations:
*
'dirty' data
* incomplete data
* big data
* small datasets
* complex problems for example multi-modal failure or with more than one solution
RCASE is considered to be an innovator in the field of
Predictive analytics
Predictive analytics encompasses a variety of statistical techniques from data mining, predictive modeling, and machine learning that analyze current and historical facts to make predictions about future or otherwise unknown events.
In busine ...
and falls within the category of ''
classification algorithms Classification is a process related to categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated and understood.
Classification is the grouping of related facts into classes.
It may also refer to:
Business, organizat ...
''. Because it was built to handle the data types above, it has been proven to have many advantages over other types of classification algorithms and
machine learning
Machine learning (ML) is a field of inquiry devoted to understanding and building methods that 'learn', that is, methods that leverage data to improve performance on some set of tasks. It is seen as a part of artificial intelligence.
Machine ...
algorithms such as
decision trees
A decision tree is a decision support tool that uses a tree-like model of decisions and their possible consequences, including chance event outcomes, resource costs, and utility. It is one way to display an algorithm that only contains condit ...
,
neural networks and
regression techniques. It does not require
hypotheses.
It has since been commercialised and made available for operating systems such as
SAP
Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.
Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a separ ...
,
Teradata
Teradata Corporation is an American software company that provides cloud database and analytics-related software, products, and services. The company was formed in 1979 in Brentwood, California, as a collaboration between researchers at Caltech ...
and
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology corporation producing computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services headquartered at the Microsoft Redmond campus located in Redmond, Washin ...
. RCASE originated from manufacturing and is widely used in applications such as
Six Sigma,
quality control and
engineering
Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more speciali ...
,
product design and warranty issues. However it is also used in other industries such as
e-commerce
E-commerce (electronic commerce) is the activity of electronically buying or selling of products on online services or over the Internet. E-commerce draws on technologies such as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, supply chain managem ...
,
financial services and utilities where root cause analysis is required.
Notable applications
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. () was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, United States. After having lost $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009, the company split into two independent public companies, Motorol ...
, the home of
Six Sigma, used the research technology behind RCASE to support their quality processes. It was used to eliminate ''No Fault Found'' quality issues for a particular mobile phone model.
Mechanism & architecture
RCASE is non-statistical and thus does not require any
hypotheses. If the key parameters causing the issue or fault in a process are not present in a
dataset A data set (or dataset) is a collection of data. In the case of tabular data, a data set corresponds to one or more database tables, where every column of a table represents a particular variable, and each row corresponds to a given record of the ...
, it will still narrow the search space and advise where the root cause may lie. This is a different approach to statistical theories which try to find a
best fit
Curve fitting is the process of constructing a curve, or mathematical function, that has the best fit to a series of data points, possibly subject to constraints. Curve fitting can involve either interpolation, where an exact fit to the data is ...
.
RCASE is based on optimised combinatorial theory and runs on either a grid cluster or a
high performance in-memory database
An in-memory database (IMDB, or main memory database system (MMDB) or memory resident database) is a database management system that primarily relies on main memory for computer data storage. It is contrasted with database management systems that e ...
. The software will interface with all
MES and
ERP systems. The result is a security system monitoring and preventing defective products from being produced. The output from the analysis will be markers that identify either an exact root cause of failure or a parametric region pointing high probability of failure (i.e. data-driven guidance on where to look next to gather data and resolve the root cause exactly).
The software can be installed on Linux or Microsoft operating systems and deployed as
On-Premises or
Software-as-a-Service
Software as a service (SaaS ) is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted. SaaS is also known as "on-demand software" and Web-based/Web-hosted software.
SaaS is cons ...
(“SaaS” or “cloud”).
See also
*
Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance techniques are designed to help determine the condition of in-service equipment in order to estimate when maintenance should be performed. This approach promises cost savings over routine or time-based preventive maintena ...
References
{{Reflist, 2
External links
Warwick Analytics
Statistical classification
Analytics
Business intelligence software