Root Cause Analysis & Pareto Reporting
Now Live in Presto
From KPI Updates to Instant Management Insight
Capture insight at source. See the causes instantly. Focus where it matters most.
Example: Open the Pareto Chart directly from the KPI Bowler - 1 click, no extra navigation.
Root causes are now captured at source through Presto's simple, intuitive KPI Connect panel.
When staff update KPI results, they are now prompted to think about and assign the root causes driving performance, providing insight at the same time as the KPI result - not weeks later in meetings. This data is captured once, automatically aggregated, and visualised using Pareto logic, giving managers and executives immediate clarity on what's really driving performance issues.
And because insight is only useful when it's easy to access, the Pareto Chart is now fully integrated into the KPI Bowler Chart.
With a single click, users can open a Pareto view directly from the Bowler chart to see a clear count of root causes for the selected time period - right on the screen, without navigating anywhere else. What appears as a KPI deviation in the Bowler is now immediately explained by root cause evidence, exactly where the review conversation is already happening.
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No extra spreadsheets.
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No additional admin.
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Just clearer insight, built directly into the workflow.
KPI Owners: Capturing KPI results and assigning root causes typically takes less than 5 minutes per day - and removes hours of back-and-forth during KPI reviews.
Traditional approach vs Presto PDCA
Traditional KPI reviews
- KPI results reviewed first
- Root causes discussed later, often from memory
- Pareto analysis done as a follow-up exercise
- Energy and urgency fade between meetings
- Focus shifts instead of converging
Presto PDCA approach
- KPI results and root causes captured together
- Root causes visible before the review starts
- Pareto insight available instantly
- Discussions start with shared context
- Focus and action established early
How to Use It (Step-by-Step)
1) Capture Root Causes When Updating KPIs
When responding to a KPI update via KPI Connect 2-Way Feedback:
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1Enter the KPI result.
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2Click to open the Root Cause selection.
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3Select root causes and allocate quantities (totals must match the KPI result - see #2 below).
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4Submit the update.
2) Break Down Results by Root Cause (Example)
Example: A KPI Owner records 3 customer complaints and assigns: 2 to Incomplete orders and 1 to Late delivery. The root cause totals should always match the KPI result.
Example: KPI result allocated across root causes for reliable analysis.
3) Review Root Causes During KPI Approval (Managers)
Managers can review the KPI result, commentary, and root cause breakdown directly in the approval workflow. This keeps reviews fact-based and focused.
Example: Root causes (Issue Reasons) evidence visible during KPI approval.
For Administrators: Configure Root Causes Once
Root cause setup is a one-off governance activity. Administrators create Tier 1 and Tier 2 root causes and assign them to KPIs via the KPI Workbench. Consistency across teams and sites is essential for meaningful aggregation and reliable Pareto insight.
Detailed Admin Guide: Step-by-step guide to configuring Root Causes via the KPI Workbench
Recommended Way to Get Started
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Start with 1-2 KPIs per team that are underperforming or regularly debated.
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Agree root causes upfront and avoid ad-hoc reclassification.
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Use the Pareto view during reviews to align on the top 1-3 causes and assign actions.
Roles & Responsibilities
Clear ownership is essential for consistent root cause capture and reliable Pareto insight. The table below summarises responsibilities by role.
| Role | Primary Responsibility | What This Means in Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Administrators | Design and govern the root cause framework | Define and maintain Tier 1 and Tier 2 root causes, configure them in the KPI Workbench, ensure consistency across KPIs, teams, and sites, and control changes through governance. |
| Team Leaders / Staff (KPI Owners) | Capture KPI results and assign root causes at source | Update KPIs via KPI Connect, assign contributing root causes when results underperform, ensure totals match KPI results, and escalate missing or unclear root causes rather than improvising. |
| Management | Use Pareto insight to focus reviews and drive action | Review KPI results and root cause breakdowns, open Pareto charts directly from the KPI Bowler, agree priority causes, and ensure actions target the few causes driving most issues. |
Tip: Start with a small pilot group gather feedback refine root cause definitions scale for best results.
Download the Pareto & Root Cause Job Aid
To support consistent adoption, we've created a comprehensive Pareto Chart & Root Cause Analysis Job Aid. This guide walks through the why, the how, and the governance behind capturing root causes at source and using Pareto insight to drive focused action.
Designed for KPI Owners, Team Leaders, and Management, it complements the step-by-step workflow shown above and serves as a practical reference document for daily use.
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Root cause framework design & governance
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Step-by-step workflow for all roles
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Pareto interpretation for management focus
Tip: Share this job aid with KPI Owners before your next review to ensure root causes are captured consistently from day one.