The Root of the Problem

Root cause analysis can be as simple as asking a few questions—or as exhausting as digging through literal dirt.

In professional settings, we often rely on tools like the 5 Whys or an Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram to find the source of a problem. We trace process breakdowns, miscommunications, and bottlenecks back to their origin. But sometimes, the lesson in root cause analysis comes—quite literally—from your front yard.

This weekend, I noticed some standing water collecting where it shouldn’t have been. A quick check led to a small excavation, where I discovered that chipmunks had mistaken a water line for something chewable. Oops—for them and for me. But what seemed like a simple issue quickly escalated.

When I went to shut off the water at the meter, I found the meter box also full of water. The two problem areas were far enough apart that I knew I wasn’t dealing with just mischievous wildlife. With the help of a kind neighbor, we dug, found, and patched a second leak. Problem solved? Not even close.

When we turned the water back on, the meter spun like a pinwheel in a hurricane—another sign the problem still lurked somewhere below. So, more digging.

Eventually, I uncovered a thick root growing right alongside the water line. Hidden under the soil, it had slowly worn two thumbnail-sized holes into the pipe. Ironically, it might have also slowed the leak from becoming catastrophic—until our repair work shifted the balance. I cut back the root, repaired the final section of line, and finally got to those glamorous weekend tasks: laundry, dishes, and a much-needed shower.

Lessons from the Leak
Root cause analysis—whether in a business process or a backyard plumbing crisis—requires persistence. The first sign of trouble isn’t always the whole story. Sometimes you solve what seems like the issue, only to find you’ve merely uncovered the next layer.

It also requires humility and help. I couldn’t have made it through without a neighbor willing to lend a hand and a shovel. And finally, it reminds us that sometimes, the root of the problem is not metaphorical. Sometimes it’s a tree root—quietly growing, unseen, and patiently waiting to remind you why we dig deeper.

So next time something in your life or work springs a leak, take a moment. Ask why. Then ask again. And be prepared to get your hands dirty.

Because sometimes, root cause analysis means just that—finding the actual root.