What tools are commonly used in TPM for root cause analysis?

The use of fishbone diagrams and 5 Whys in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is integral for conducting thorough root cause analysis. Fishbone diagrams, also known as Ishikawa diagrams or cause-and-effect diagrams, visually map out the various potential causes of a problem, helping teams identify contributing factors systematically. This encourages collaborative thinking and detailed examination of all possible causes across multiple dimensions such as people, processes, equipment, materials, and environment.

The 5 Whys technique complements this visual tool by prompting teams to delve deeper into the issue by asking "why" repeatedly—typically five times—until the fundamental cause of the problem is identified. This method is particularly effective in simple to moderately complex problems, as it fosters a culture of continuous improvement and accountability among team members.

The other answer options do not align with the specific goals of root cause analysis within the TPM framework. Bar charts and line graphs primarily serve for data representation and tracking trends rather than investigating causes of issues. Cost-benefit analysis and SWOT analysis focus on strategic planning and decision-making rather than the detailed examination of specific operational problems. Lastly, checklists and surveys are useful for process verification and gathering feedback but are not designed to uncover root causes in a problem-solving context.