The proven approach

The book that started it all

Our founder, Dean L. Gano, literally created and wrote the book on evidence-based problem solving. His work introduced a new way of thinking about cause and effect — one that helps organizations apply a proven approach to the issues they face.

From those principles grew the Apollo Root Cause Analysis™ methodology and RC Pro® software, used by practitioners across industries worldwide to understand problems and prevent their recurrence.

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Our Promise to You

When you embrace a new way of thinking about cause and effect and adopt Apollo RCA as your chosen problem-solving methodology, the business culture evolves to understand that things do not just happen and complicated issues can be simplified.

With a clear understanding of known causal relationships, you can determine which causes, if removed or controlled, will prevent problem recurrence.

Our Commitment to Your Success

We believe a customer's success is our success, and that we can make the world a better place by helping people become better problem solvers. Our commitment is shown in providing the best tools and techniques with regular enhancements and user-driven improvements.

This has been consistently demonstrated over more than 35 years of delivering world-class products, services and support.

The Apollo Method

A common reality, built on evidence

The Apollo Root Cause Analysis™ methodology facilitates the creation of a common reality using input from all stakeholders to produce an evidence-based understanding of the problem. This ensures your solutions address proven causes to prevent recurrence — making problem-solving easy and giving trained practitioners the skills to solve real-world problems more efficiently and effectively.

Principle-based

Grounded in clear principles of cause and effect rather than guesswork or blame.

Evidence-driven

Every cause is supported by evidence, producing solutions the whole organization accepts.

Recurrence-proof

Address proven causes so that the same problems don't come back.

Follow the 4 steps

A principle-based problem-solving method

You can rely on this four-step, principle-based methodology to master strategies and develop techniques that let you build a powerful understanding of any problem. It gives you the problem-solving skills to capture more essential information and open up more opportunities to find solutions that eliminate, change or control proven causes.

Step 1

Define the Problem

Agree on what the problem is, when and where it happened, and why it matters — so every stakeholder starts from the same place.

Step 2

Create the Cause & Effect Chart

Ask why, find the causes behind each effect, and support every cause with evidence to build a common reality of the problem.

Step 3

Identify & Challenge Effective Solutions

Look for solutions on every cause, then challenge each one: does it prevent recurrence, is it within your control, and does it meet your goals?

Step 4

Implement & Track the Best Solutions

Put the best solutions in place, assign ownership and follow them through to confirm the problem does not come back.

Outcomes

Prevent problems from coming back

With the Apollo Root Cause Analysis™ methodology and RC Pro® software, you can manage problems proactively by identifying causes and preventing future incidents from recurring.

Based on the achievements of the participants who have come before you, we can say with confidence that those who apply this methodology achieve incredible results: cost-effective solutions that prevent recurrence, are within their control, meet their goals and objectives, and do not cause other unacceptable problems.

Explore Training

Three overlapping stakeholder views — Operations, Maintenance and Engineering — meeting at a common reality supported by evidence

Customer testimonials

What our clients say

"I have consistently utilized the software for significant quality issues, both internal and external. Using the Apollo Root Cause Methodology that is the backbone of the software, an organization will be able to prevent issues from reoccurring. The support is quick, thorough, and second to none."

Steve B.

Director, Erdman Center for Operations & Technology Management — Higher Education

"I've been using RealityCharting since 2007 on problem solving efforts touching all aspects of the aerospace industry — in-service, supplier quality, engineering, facility, and large-scale systems integration. I'm impressed with the outstanding support and their ongoing commitment to always improving the software."

Jennifer M.

Root Cause Analysis Associate Technical Fellow — Aviation & Aerospace

"The brainstorming section makes it simple and quick to transfer causes off of a manual chart because you just type and enter. After capturing them it is a simple process to drag and drop them into the main program."

Kevin S.

President — Mechanical / Industrial Engineering, Self-employed

"RealityCharting has made a major impact across the last 10 years of my professional experience. It starts with the principles of causation to understand that "stuff" does not just happen."

Christopher B.

Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt — Management Consulting

"We have been able to understand and solve many problems related to large ship diesel engines using this tool. Also other potential problems have been discovered and solved even before they have taken place."

Karl Olav U.

Mechanical Engineer — Oil & Energy

"This is a foundational methodology and product for any root cause analysis. It is quickly learned, effective and efficient. The software provides good flexibility for the analyst. It graphically portrays the causes and the fact that there is no one "root cause.""

Bruce H.

Causal Analyst (retired) — Renewables & Environment

"I have been working with RC for more than 20 years. I think it is a wonderful and powerful tool."

Jorge C.

Personal Safety Specialist — Chemicals

"When performing failure analysis problem solving, I interviewed operators who found the failure, maintenance mechanics who fixed the failure and experts such as equipment manufacturer engineers who understand how the failed equipment is intended to run."

Dorthy W.

Reliability Maintenance Planner — Mining & Metals

"Use of the software has been invaluable in analyzing and solving problems in a dispassionate and objective manner, and communicating results that have a clear basis that everyone involved can buy into."

Scott N.

Risk Analyst — Environmental Services

"Using RealityCharting for root cause analysis of close-calls and incidents in a laboratory environment. Using the software and its underlying methodology, we have been able to uncover details about incidents and their causes that we would not have found otherwise."

Verified Reviewer

Higher Education

"At a nuclear enrichment facility a construction error occurred; employees put together a team to determine root causes. Management did not believe their final report; I was invited to the facility to interview the team and review their findings."

Michael A.

Adjunct Professor — Education Management

Our partners

Partner for progress

By forging strong connections with valued partners, we extend our reach to a broader audience. Their market expertise, established networks, and customer understanding unlock opportunities for building even deeper relationships and achieving sustainable growth, together.

These mutually beneficial partnerships flourish on open communication, clear expectations, and shared goals — so the result is a partnership that delivers solutions tailored to your specific needs.