Implement Cause Analysis to Generate Solutions 245 Therefore, what is more important: Learning how to perform "root cause analysis" in order to identify a single root cause (that serves as an excuse for something that created a problem or opportunity to blame an individual for the problem)? Or, learning how to perform cause analysis in order to identify multiple solutions to monitor, change, control, or eliminate specific controllable causes, and prevent problems? Role of Cause Analysis in Risk Management The Project Management Institute, PMBOK, 4th edition, describes root cause analysis as a specific technique to: (1) identify a problem; (2) discover the underlying causes that lead to it, and (3) develop preventive actions. The PMBOK describes the role of root cause analysis in the Project Quality Management Knowledge Area and Risk Management Knowledge Area (identify risks/tools and techniques). In the Project Quality Management Knowledge Area, root cause analysis is a tool to support the cause investigation of significant non-conformances. This applies to any industry. In the Risk Management Knowledge Area, the PMBOK describes the "Risk Register"