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Problem Solving · Root Cause

Root Cause Problem Solving: 8D, 5-Why & CAPA

Structured root cause analysis that satisfies customer complaints, closes issues out for good, and stops the same defect coming back.

Wales & the South West — Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bristol the Midlands — Birmingham, Coventry, the automotive manufacturing belt London & the South East — London, Essex, Kent the North of England — Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield
Why structured problem solving matters

Beyond firefighting: root cause, not just containment

When something goes wrong — a customer complaint, a field failure, a recurring internal defect — automotive and manufacturing customers expect a structured, evidence-based response: immediate containment, a disciplined 8D or G8D report, root cause analysis using tools like 5-Why and Ishikawa (fishbone) diagrams, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) that actually stops recurrence.

Many organisations have the paperwork but not the discipline — containment that isn't verified, root causes that stop at the first plausible answer, and corrective actions that are never checked for effectiveness. We coach and deliver problem solving that gets to the real cause and stays fixed.

Who it's for

Who this service is for

Automotive & manufacturing suppliers

You've received a customer complaint or PPM issue and need a credible 8D response within tight deadlines.

  • Immediate containment support
  • 8D / G8D report writing or review
  • Root cause facilitation

Businesses with recurring defects

The same issues keep coming back and you need a proper root cause process, not repeated firefighting.

  • 5-Why & Ishikawa facilitation
  • CAPA system design
  • Verification of effectiveness
What's included

What's included

8D & G8D reports

Full eight-discipline problem solving, written or coached, to a standard that satisfies demanding automotive customers.

5-Why & Ishikawa facilitation

Structured root cause workshops that get past symptoms to the actual cause.

CAPA system design

A corrective and preventive action process that tracks actions to genuine, verified closure.

Containment action support

Practical, fast containment advice to protect customers while the root cause investigation runs.

Verification of effectiveness

Follow-up checks that corrective actions actually worked, not just that they were 'closed'.

Coaching your team

Hands-on coaching so your engineers can run 8D and root cause analysis themselves next time.

Our process

How we run a problem-solving investigation

1

Immediate containment

We help you protect the customer and contain the issue while the investigation runs.

2

Root cause investigation

We facilitate 5-Why, Ishikawa or other structured analysis to find the real cause, not the first guess.

3

Corrective action

We define and implement corrective actions that address the root cause, not just the symptom.

4

Verify & prevent recurrence

We verify effectiveness and update FMEAs, control plans or procedures to prevent recurrence.

Why Control Edge

Why work with Control Edge on problem solving

Common questions

Problem solving questions, answered

What is an 8D report?

8D (Eight Disciplines) is a structured problem-solving methodology widely used in automotive and manufacturing, moving through team formation, problem description, containment, root cause identification, corrective action, implementation, prevention of recurrence and closure with recognition.

What's the difference between 8D and G8D?

G8D (Global 8D) is Ford's specific variant of the 8D methodology with some additional requirements and formatting — if a Ford-family customer requests a report, they typically mean G8D specifically.

How quickly do we need to respond to a customer complaint?

Requirements vary by customer, but many automotive OEMs expect containment confirmation within 24 hours and a full interim or final 8D report within a matter of days — we can help you meet tight deadlines.

Can you write the report for us, or do you just coach?

Both — depending on your deadline and how much you want your own team to learn from the process, we can lead the investigation and write the report, or coach your team while they do it.

What does this service cost?

We quote a fixed price per investigation or a retainer for ongoing problem-solving support, agreed after a free scoping call.

Related services

Explore related services

Most of our clients need more than one of these — here's what tends to go together.

Facing a customer complaint or recurring defect?

Tell us what's happened and your deadline, and we'll get a structured response moving quickly.

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