Handbook
RCA — Root Cause Analysis
Systematic investigation of underlying defect cause — paired with test impact in Forge defect workflow.
What it is
docs/defects/DEF-NNNN/rca.md per defect-rca-testing.mdc. ISTQB-oriented test impact sibling file.
When people say this
When triaging defects, filing DEF-NNNN folders, or updating TRACEABILITY after production issues.
Where it lives
docs/defects/; blueprints/sdlc/templates/forge/
How it fits the ecosystem
BA techniques also use root cause analysis in P1/P5 — context disambiguates product vs defect RCA.
Typical usage in plans and chat
Defect plans: triage → RCA → test-impact.md → registry INDEX.md updates.
Related terms
Term page — canonical catalog entry rca.