Think about a problem in a current or past organization (working for bexar as a Central Magistrate Court Clerk). Examine the problem using the Four Stages (1. Brainstorm the causes; 2. Group causes into major categories; 3. Construct a cause & effect diagram; 4. Getting to the Root Cause. )

Note: You don't need to share a diagram of the cause & effect - you are welcome to explain with words. (Don't list) APA form -at least one in text-citation. Also Five Whys tool to answer 4. Getting to the Root Cause. )

At Bexar County in my role as a Central Magistrate Court Clerk, a problem that I am currently facing in my organization is the delays in processing court documents. By applying the Four Stages approach as outlined by Wickham and Wilcock (2020), it provides a structured way to understand and address the underlying issues effectively.

1. Brainstorm the Causes:The problem of delays in processing court documents can arise from various factors. These may include insufficient staff numbers to handle workload peaks, leading to delays. Another cause could be outdated technology, which slows down tasks that could otherwise be streamlined. Additionally, inefficient workflow processes might require excessive manual intervention, causing further delays. Furthermore, inadequate training of clerical staff could result in errors that necessitate rework and delay proceedings.
2. Group Causes into Major Categories: After identifying potential causes, these can be grouped into four major categories:
   • Human Resources: This includes understaffing and inadequate training, which can lead to inefficiencies.
   • Technology: Outdated technology can slow down tasks that could otherwise be automated or processed more quickly.
   • Processes: Inefficient workflow processes that cause delays in document handling.
   • Workload: An increased volume of cases that overwhelms the existing system (and resources) capacity,contributing to delays.
3. Construct a Cause & Effect Diagram: The diagram would place the problem ("Delays in Processing Court Documents") at the center. From this central point, lines branch out to each major category (Human Resources, Technology, Processes, Workload). Each major category would then branch further into detailing specific causes such asinsufficient number of staff under Human Resources and outdated software under Technology.
4. Getting to the Root Cause:

Overall, by breaking down the problem into these stages, my organization can better understand and address the underlying causes of delays, leading to more efficient court operations.

References

Ishikawa, K. (1976). Guide to Quality Control. Asian Productivity Organization.https://www.scribd.com/document/737206220/Guide-to-Quality-Control

Wickham, L., & Wilcock, J. (2020). Business and Management Consulting (6th ed.). Pearson International Content.