Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for identifying a root cause associated with a problem in a production environment. The method includes receiving information indicative of a point-of-origin of the problem. The method further includes providing a cause-and-effect chart having a plurality of user-definable general cause categories, each of the general cause categories having at least one user-definable direct cause subcategory. The method further automatically identifies a primary direct cause of the problem based on the user-defined general cause categories and direct cause subcategories.

Abstract: A system for creating an inventory profile is disclosed. The system includes a computer system and at least one input device coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to receive inventory data associated with a group of parts within an inventory and classify each part into one class selected from a plurality of classes. The processor determines a number of days of demand coverage associated with each class and compares the number of days of demand coverage with a corresponding demand coverage value. The processor also determines a difference between the number of days of demand coverage for each class and a corresponding demand coverage value and generates an inventory profile reporting the days of demand coverage for each class associated with the group of parts. The inventory profile indicates the difference between the number of days of demand coverage for each class and the corresponding demand coverage value.