In
Kiswahili, problem-solving involves identifying a problem and solving it either
through eradication of the problem or crafting a device that eliminates the
problem. This is termed ‘kutengeneza’ (to correct). There is no midpoint
of ‘blame/accusation’ which are products of sentiments and consequently provide
opportunity for entry by rogue elements that may stir-up confusion. However,
blames/accusations are a prevalent reality in the contemporary world that require
contingency and mitigation.
Terms
Tengeneza – 1. manufacture, assemble, prepare. 2.
repair, fix, mend, correct. (problem-solving)
Methali (proverb)
Mchagua
jembe si mkulima
Literal:
One who chooses, or is picky with digging hoes is not a farmer
Meaning:
A good farmer does not blame his hoe.
The
proverb above does not contain any word that can be translated as “blame/accuse”,
but the idea can be connoted for contemporary understanding. There’s no
indigenous Kiswahili word for “blame”. However, there are several foreign loanwords
from Arabic for the verb ‘blame’.
-laumu (infinitive kulaumu) - blame. Borrowed
from Arabic لَوْم (lawm)
-shutumu (infinitive kushutumu) - accuse, blame,
criticise, insinuate. Borrowed from Arabic شَتَمَ
(šatama)
-tuhumu (infinitive kutuhumu) - suspect,
accuse. Borrowed from Arabic وجه تهمة (wajah tuhmatan)
When
sentiments infiltrate the analysis of a problem, blames/accusations are
automatically produced, and hence, assumptions. Problems should not be written
by assumptions; only facts should be written. For example:
Statement of fact
“Brand-marking
was not available on the packet.”
Statement with assumption
“The
inspector forgot to mark the packet.”
In
the second example, there is only assumption while the cause is not mentioned,
so it may be right or wrong. However, if framed correctly, this could serve as
a causal factor. After identifying that brand-marking was not available on the
packet, the next question could be “who is mandated with putting
brand-markings?”. The answer being ‘inspector’, the next question would be “why
didn’t the inspector put the brand-marking?”. Using various methods like
interviews and cross-examination of the inspector and witnesses, the analysis
goes farther into uncovering the root cause.
Root
cause: A root-cause is
the factor considered the mainstay of a failure, and which, after removing that
factor, the failure will not be repeated.
Causal
factor: This is a
factor that is a cause for a level of failure but is not the mainstay of the
general failure. Eliminating this causal factor may improve the result of the
process, but it won’t prevent the recurrence of the failure with certainty.
Sometimes it is termed as ‘probable cause’.
Root-cause analysis
In
science and engineering, root cause analysis (RCA) is a method of problem
solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems. It is widely
used in IT operations, manufacturing, telecommunications, industrial process
control, accident analysis (e.g., in aviation, rail transport, or nuclear
plants), medicine (for medical diagnosis, for epidemiology), etc. Root cause
analysis is a form of inductive (first create a theory [root] based on
empirical evidence [causes]) and deductive (test the theory [underlying causal
mechanisms] with empirical data) inference.
Root
cause analysis involves identifying and describing the problem clearly and; distinguishing
between the root cause and other causal factors (using event correlation).
Event correlation is mostly done through the ‘why-why analysis’, at the end of
which, the root cause is identified. A factor is considered a root-cause if,
after the removal of that factor, there will be no repeated failures.
In
conclusion, problem-solving in Kiswahili does not involve sentiments; it only
involves facts and evidence. It does not give room for blames/accusations, neither
on self nor external factors. That’s the way the root-cause of a problem may be
clearly sought, identified and eradicated.
References
TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya
Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya
Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Wilson, P. F.; Dell, L. D.;
Anderson, G. F. (1993). Root Cause Analysis: A Tool for Total Quality
Management. ASQ Quality Press: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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