Services Offered

Problem-Solving & Product Failure Investigation

We'll guide you in determining and treating the Original Causes, not the symptoms, so you eliminate the problem once and for all.

Damage & Accident Investigations

We'll provide the expertise in doing a truth-finding investigation into the Cause of a Failure, Damage or Accident.

Validation Testing for New Product Development

We'll guide you in developing and implementing a test plan

Testimonials

What they're saying about us

Brett Grohsgal

Agri/Soil Scientist & Owner of
Even' Star Organic Farm

Rajeev and Vinay are superb at solving engineering problems.  From initial detailed inspections to exploring hypotheses to finding excellent and workable solutions, they bring tireless brainpower to every job.  We first used Rajeev over a decade ago on diesel and gasoline systems, and he was able to fix what no one else, –even highly skilled professional engine mechanics, could.  Rajeev and Vinay constantly examined the physics and efficiency of tractor performance and soil preparation on this production farm.  We are still using the quick-reference chart Rajeev created, that tailors each implement's settings for best performance.  When we had intruder problems, it was Rajeev who came up with concrete options for remote security cameras linked to our laptops. My wife and I are trained biological scientists who were deeply immersed in agricultural research before we began commercial farming.  Rarely did we find anyone in science who could match Rajeev's brains.  I trust this team to solve any and all technical dilemmas we might have.  Their utter competency, work ethic, non-stop analyses, and total dedication are outstanding.  Prospective users of this company are welcome to call my cell (301.481.6832) if further clarification is needed.

Problem Solving  &
Failure Investigation

How we do it:

We efficiently guide you to the source of your problem and out of it. –We do it through a focused process of reviewing the events, brainstorming, survey, analysis and experimental testing.
 
It seems like the natural and easy thing to do, right? Then why is it so difficult to find the culprit or solution? It’s because of the circumstances, loss or lack of knowhow and technical expertise, and sometimes external micromanagement and limitations faced by the skilled personnel. The consultants at Root Cause Pro are experienced, skilled and free from those limitations.
 
From our insight, experience and track record of success in resolving complex problems and developing new products, we have become adept at getting to the heart of the problem and resolving it. Give us a call and take advantage of this rare opportunity.  The initial consultation is free.

Our APPROACH

While there are statistical methods and tools commonly in use today to find the corelation between events associated with a failure, they are not effective in establishing causation.  They can only point to the simultaneous occurrence of observed phenomena, but not conclusively say which ones are causes and which ones are effects.  For that, we need to have a good understanding of the mechanism of how a system works.  Further, without a good understanding of the system, one can even miss inputting some contributing factors into the statistical analysis.
 
For this reason, Root Cause Pro relies on an approach from “first principles” in its failure investigations, together with introspective sessions with the client’s technical personnel where we ask key questions that are designed to discover important contributors to the issue and home-in on the culprit(s).
 
First principles means starting from the principles on which something works, meaning a basic knowledge or understanding of how a thing is designed to work.  
 
That very important knowledge of the system, component or issue of interest, is obtained from the clients by engaging their own personnel and resources, or from RCP’s knowledge, experience and capabilities.
 
Since the problem solving approach is common to all the applications and disciplines, we’re able to help with any problem, regardless of the field.

GUIDANCE through QUESTIONS, ADVICE and SUPERVISION

The interactions between the client and RCP, usually involve questions that are meant:
    • for fact-finding,  
    • to trigger introspection,  
    • to lead to self-realization of all the contributors to the problem and/or RCP’s realization, and
    • to validate (either confirm or rule out) a suspected cause.
Advice will be given:
    • on how to determine all the contributing factors
    • on the best ways to determine causation (whether through analysis or examination of evidence/material, engineering analysis, experimental test, survey, etc.)
    • on demonstrating how to turn the problem On and Off at will, to conclusively prove causation.
    • on the best ways to change the design or process, to prevent the problem forever.
Clients are advised to use their own facilities, manpower and resources to conduct tests and perform common analyses (e.g. using computer modelling and engineering analysis software).  Consultant would review the plan, setup and results of such work.

MODE of INTERACTION

RCP is equipped to serve and interact with clients through both:
Remote operation, using video conferencing, email, and telephone, and
In-person visits by Consultant to client’s site, when needed  
– to inspect/examine failed parts,
– to observe some processes involved in creating the end product.
– to review some setups used to test and analyze product.the  
– to review and discuss results of tests and analyses.
– to help with implementing a plan, analysis or test,  
– to sometimes conduct demonstrations of turning the problem On and Off.

Damage & Accident Investigations

Because of our:
    • Knowledge of how physical things behave when subjected to various loads, environments, handling, and operating conditions,  
    • Ability to determine external and internal loads, through analysis and experiment.
    • Familiarity with the looks of damaged and failed parts,  
    • Assistance to arrange for microscopic examinations and chemical analyses of materials.
 
We are well suited / equipped to carry out damage and accident investigations, where we:  
    • Survey, examine and inspect the damaged entities,  
    • Know where all to look for immediate contributors,  
    • Dig deeper and find out the preceding or underlying causes / contributors,  
    • Conduct analyses and experiments or tests to identify and validate causes,
    • Corroborate a theory or an alibi using “the physics of the matter”,
    • Draw a complete picture of the issues surrounding an incident, and
    • Help to determine culpabilities by separating the uncontrollable happenstance and natural factors from the factors involving negligence and wantonness.
 
We know how to present our thorough findings in simple terms to the lay person, using the relevant evidence, logic, analogies, and a visual demonstration to prove that the identified contributors result in the observed event (damage).
 
So if our expertise fits your need, contact us to see if it fits our interests and availability.

TESTING of New Products

for Field-Failures, Design Verification and Endurance.

Using our experience in developing efficient and sophisticated new products, involving interdisciplinary knowledge, we can guide and assist with:
 
TESTING for the following purposes:
    • to identify and validate specific design flaws by a better simulation to capture elusive field conditions that might be causing repeated failures which were not noticed during initial development testing.
    • to verify the product design and functionality, when subjected to realistic operating conditions
    • to verify product integrity through non-destructive means and destructive tests,
    • to determine product life / endurance for given duty cycles,  
 
Specifically, we can guide and assist you on:
    • Conceptualizing and preparing a test plan.
    • How to simulate the real life conditions in a lab on a test-rig.
    • How to setup a portion of or the entire product for testing, including fixturing and instrumentation.
    • Interpretation of test data and results.
 
So if our expertise fits your need, especially the first purpose listed above, contact us to see if it fits our interests and availability.