Apolo RCA

12-Oct-04 RealityCharting User’s Guide Rev.
User’s Guide for

RealityCharting
Copyright 2004 by Dean L. Gano
Apollonian Publications, LLC
Contents
Introduction …………………….………………………………………..… 5
Purpose of Reality Charting ………………………………………………………… 5
About This Guide …..…..…………………………………………………………… 5
Learning to Use RealityCharting …………………………………………………… 6
Registration …………………………………………………………………………. 6
Installation ...……………………………………………………………………….. 7
System Requirements ....…………..………………………………………………… 7
Contacting Apollonian Publications, LLC …………………………………………. 7
License Agreement …………………………………………..………….. 8
Chapter 1 Getting The Lay Of The Land …………………………..…… 11
RealityCharting Components .…………………..……………………………………… 11
Workspace .……………………………..………………………………………….. 11
Wizard …..…………….. ………………….………………………………………… 11
Holding Area .……………………………..……………………………………….. 11
Problem Description .…………….……….……………….……………………….. 11
Notes & References .…………….……..………………….……………………….. 12
Tools .…………….………………….…….……………………………………….. 12
Menus .…………….…………………..…………………...……………………….. 12
Chapter 2 Getting Started . …………….………..……………………….. 13
Getting Started .………………………….…………………….……………………….. 13
Fast Start .…………….……………………...………………….………………….. 13
Detailed Start .…………….…………………….……………………………..……….. 15
How the Apollo Problem Solving Process Works .…………….………………….. 15
Brainstorming and Synergizing .…………..…….…………………….…………… 16
Cause and Effect Charting .………………….…………….……………………….. 17
Charting Features .……………….….…………………….……………………….. 18
Creating New Causes .……….….…………………….……………………….. 18
Moving Causes .…………….…………………..…….……………………….. 18
Disconnecting Causes .…….…….…………………….……………………….. 19
Cause Box Restrictions ….…………….………….…….……………………….. 19
Automatic Features .…………….…………………….……………………….. 20
Creating Feedback Loops .…..………………….…………….……..……….….. 21
Adding Evidence ..…………….…………………….………………………….. 21
Identifying Cause Type ...…………….………………….…………………….. 22
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12-Oct-04 RealityCharting User’s Guide Rev. 5
Ending a Cause Chain .…………….………………….……………………….. 22

Finishing a Chart With a Rules Check …….…………….……………………….. 22
Rules Check Options .………………….………………..……………………….. 23
Creating Solutions .…………….………………………….……………………….. 24
Testing Solutions .…………….…………………………………………………….. 25
Checking the Criteria .…………….…………………….……………………….. 25
Implementing Solutions .…………….…………………….……………………….. 26
Preparing the Incident Report .…………….……………………………………….. 26
Finalizing the Incident Report .…………….…….……….……………………….. 27
Printing, Exporting, and Creating PDF’s ..………..…………….…………….…….. 27
Printing …………….…………..…….………….…………………………..….. 27
Exporting …………….…………..…..………….……………………………….. 27
Creating PDF’s …………….…………..…………….………………………….. 28
Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF’s for Page Layout ………………………….. 28
Resizing a RealityChart for Printing ………… …….……….……….………...… 29
Printing to a Printer Plotter ….…………..…………….……….……………….. 29
Chapter 3 Problem Definition. …….………….………………………….. 30
What is a Problem? ...…………….…………………….……………………………….. 30
How the Software Works ...…………….…………………….………………………….. 30
Defining the Problem ...…………….……………………….……………………….. 30
Editing the Problem Definition…….…………………….……………………….. 30
Completing the Problem Definition ...…………….…………………………….. 31
Primary Effect Box ………….……….………………….……………………….. 31
How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works ...…………….…………………….... 31
Writing a Complete Problem Definition ...…………….…………………….……... 31
Chapter 4 Creating a Chart . …………..….…………………….…….….. 34
Creating a RealityChart ……………………...…………….…………………….……….. 34
Node Menu ..………………………….…………………….……………………….. 34
Create New Cause ……..……………………………….……………………….. 34
Stop …………….………………………..…………….……………………….. 34
? – Need More Information …….…………………….………..……………….. 35
Run Rules Test ……..…………….…………………….……………………….. 35
Identify Solutions …………….……….……………….……………………….. 35
GO TO ………………………………………………….……………………….. 35
OR ………………………………………………………………………………. 35
Creating a Chart ……………………...…………………….……………………….. 36
Charting Features …………….…………………………….……………………….. 36
Creating New Causes…………….………………….…….……………………….. 37
What is a Cause? …………….………..……………….……………………….. 37
How the Software Checks Your Work …………….……….………………….. 38
How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works …………….…………………….. 38
Moving Causes …………….…………………….…………………………..…….. 39
Disconnecting Causes …………….…………………….………………………….. 40
Cause Box Restrictions …………….…………...………….……………………….. 40
Automatic Features …………….…………………….………….………………….. 41
Creating Feedback Loops ...……………………..……..…….……………………... 42
Adding Evidence …………….…………………….……………………………….. 42
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Space Restrictions …………….…………………….………………………….. 42

Advanced Mode …………….………………………...……………………….. 42
Dealing With a Lack of Evidence …………….……….….……………………….. 43
What is Evidence? …………….……….………………….……………………….. 43
Sensed Evidence …………….…………..…………….……………………….. 44
Inferred Evidence …………….…………..…………….……………………….. 44
Sensed Evidence Versus Inferred Evidence……………..……………………….. 44
Intuition …………………………………..…………….……………………….. 45
Emotional Evidence ………….…………..…………….……………………….. 45
Quality of Evidence ………….…………..…………….……………………….. 45
Identify Cause Type …………….…………..…….……….……………………….. 46
Ending a Cause Chain …………….………...…………….……………………….. 46
Finishing a Chart With A Rules Check …..…………….……….………………….. 47
Rules Check Options ………….…………..…………….……….………………….. 47
Chapter 5 Solution Generation…………….…….……………………….. 48
Creating Solutions ……………….….…………..…………….……………………….. 48
Testing Solutions …………….………….…..…………….……………………….. 49
Checking the Criteria …………….…………..…………….………………….. 49
Implementing Solutions …………….…………..………….……………………….. 50
How the Software Works …………….…………..…….….……………………….. 50
How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works …………….………………….. 50
Chapter 6 Creating Reports and Printing ……………………………….. 52
Preparing the Incident Report …………...….……….………….……………………….. 52
Finalizing the Incident Report …………..………..…………….……………………….. 53
Printing, Exporting, and Creating PDF’s ..………..…………….……………………….. 53
Printing …………….…………..…….………….………………………………..….. 53
Exporting …………….…………..…..………….…………………….…………….. 53
Creating PDF’s …………….…………..…………….…………………………….. 54
Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF’s for Page Layout ……………………………….. 54
Resizing a RealityChart for Printing ………… …….……….……………………...… 55
Printing to a Printer Plotter ….…………..…………….……….………………….. 55
Chapter 7 Features and Tools ………….………..……………………….. 56
Chart Navigation ……………..…….……………………………………………………. 56
Page Navigation ……………...…….……………………………………………………. 57
Spelling Check ………………………………………………………………………….. 57
Menu Items …………….…………..………………….……….……………………….. 57
File Menu …………….…………..…………….………………………………..….. 57
Edit Menu …………….…………..…………….…………………….…………….. 58
View Menu …………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 59
Rules Menu …………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 61
Tools Menu …………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 62
Jewels Menu…………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 63
Help Menu …………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 64
Tools …………………………………..…………….………………………………….. 65
Primary Effect Tool ...……………..…………….…………………………….…….. 65
Cause Box Tool …………….…………..……….………………………………….. 65
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Rules Tool …………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 65

Solution Generation Tool …………….…………..……..………………………….. 65
Undo/Redo Tool …………………………………………………………………….. 65
Trash …………….………………..…………….………………………………….. 65
Buttons ………………………………………………………………………………….. 66
Troubleshooting …………………………………………………………………………. 66
Glossary…………………………………………………………………….. 68
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Introduction
Welcome to RealityCharting – a unique charting tool with smarts. RealityCharting was
created to help people who use the Apollo Root Cause Analysis problem solving method
produce better solutions. While the Apollo Root Cause Analysis problem solving method is
highly effective, it requires a new way of thinking for many people. It usually takes two days
of exercise intensive training and two or three incident investigations to become an effective
user. In the past, we found that students often reverted back to old ineffective habits after
leaving the classroom, so we tried refresher training and taught managers to be better
reviewers, but these solutions had limited success at producing quality incident reports.
RealityCharting was created to help solve this problem by first providing a simple user
friendly charting tool and backing it up with rules that follow the Apollo Root Cause
Analysis process. Today it is a fully functional application with many features that allow
easy sharing and exporting to other common applications. Most importantly, RealityCharting
will provide an accurate cause and effect chart every time while reinforcing the rules of
effective problem solving.
Whether you are a professional incident investigator or just one of many interested parties,
RealityCharting will help you understand your problem better than you have ever been able
to understand it before. As a result of this understanding, you are able to find more effective
solutions and effectively communicate the value of those solutions to others. RealityCharting
avoids the storytelling and categorical thinking so common in today’s problem solving and
thus avoids the inherent arguing and politics. Clear evidence-based causal relationships are
very hard to argue with and the Apollo process encourages diverse ideas and viewpoints such
that the best solutions can be found together, as a team.
The most powerful aspect of RealityCharting is that it provides a new way of communicating
that facilitates the creation of a common reality and thus more effective solutions. You can
build your best understanding of the problem and its causes, email it to other stakeholders
and interact with them to develop a more inclusive analysis. Determine the best solutions
using the Apollo solution criteria and document the entire process in a comprehensive report.
Purpose of RealityCharting
RealityCharting was created to meet two purposes:
1. Provide an easy-to-use cause and effect charting tool.
2. Enforce the guidelines for obtaining effective solutions as defined by the Apollo Root
Cause Analysis methodology. To that end, using RealityCharting is like having an
expert problem solver on your shoulder.
About This Guide

The RealityCharting User’s Guide provides detailed information about the software program.
It is an electronic text of the Help Menu provided in a printable and slightly different format.
The first two chapters are provided to get you started. The following chapters present the
steps of the Apollo problem-solving process. The last chapter provides a list of additional
features that do not fit into any other chapter. This manual assumes you have a working
knowledge of your computer, it’s operating system, common software conventions, including
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how to use drag and drop features of a mouse, menus and commands, and how to open, save,
and close files. For help with any of these features see your operating system help file.
Learning To Use RealityCharting

The easiest way to learn RealityCharting is to run the Tutorial and use the back button to
make sure you understand what you are watching and read the text at the bottom of the
tutorial window. The Fast Start Movie also provides a short session on how to define the
problem and create a RealityChart. It is most helpful as a quick reminder if you have not used
the software in awhile. After using the software for a while, open the various menu items to
see what they offer and use the Info buttons to provide insights into the many hidden
features.
The Help Menu is provided as a search tool and is topically indexed to provide quick access
to the area you are having problems with. It is highly recommended that you read the Getting
Started Section as it will walk you through the entire process. The help menu and this guide
also provide detailed information on the Apollo problem solving methodology and if you
have the time it is recommended that you read it in its entirety. For more information on the
Apollo methodology it is recommended that you obtain formal classroom training from
Apollo Associated Services, Ltd. because the best way to learn the necessary interactive
investigation skills is by working team exercises with real people.
A Wizard is also provided to help guide the user through the process. You should read the
Info messages beside each Wizard Step to help you understand what is required. You will not
be allowed to proceed to the next step until the current step is complete. The Wizard only
works one time. That is, the logic does not reset once you have gone through the steps once.
However, if you select Finalize Report, RealityCharting will check to make sure you have
performed all the required steps to ensure a complete report.
Registration
Apollonian Publications is confident that you will find RealityCharting a powerful tool for
communicating and performing effective problem analysis. To ensure that you have the latest
version and technical support, please register your software within 30 days of your first
usage. If you fail to register the software in 30 days, the software will stop working. A
warning message is provided each time you open the software until you take the time to
register. Registration is made easy by providing an automatic link to our website. Please
follow the registration process provided inside RealityCharting. If you do not have internet
access, please call 866-WE DO RCA (866-933-6722) for your activation code.
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In order to complete your registration, please have the following information available:
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Physical Address
City
State
Zip Code
Company Name
Phone Number
Product Key (found on the inside cover of your software package)
As updates to the software are made available you will be notified via the email address that
you provide. If you fail to register the software within 30 days, the software will stop
working. A warning message and corresponding links are provided each time you open the
software until you take the time to register.
Installation
You must install the application from the CD-ROM provided. Instructions are on the
package, but the installation process should automatically start once the CD-ROM is inserted
into your drive. If the installation process does not automatically begin when you insert the
CD, double click the apollonian.exe file in the main directory of the CD-ROM.
System Requirements
Microsoft WindowsTM 2000 or higher
300 MHz processor or higher
64 MB RAM
100 MB of hard-disk space for virtual memory
10 MB of hard-disk space for application
16-bit color video display adapter or Truecolor display
CD-ROM drive
Contacting Apollonian Publications, LLC

Website: www.apollorca.com/contact/contact.shtml
Phone: 866-933-6722
Mail: RealityCharting, PO Box 8018, Yakima, WA 98908
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License Agreement
APOLLONIAN PUBLICATIONS LICENSE AGREEMENT
For RealityCharting, Copyright 2004
By Dean L. Gano
This is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or an entity), the end user,
and Apollonian Publications, LLC. You should carefully read the following terms and
conditions before loading the software onto your computer. If you do not agree to the
terms of this Agreement you will not be able to use the software, so please return any
disks and the accompanying items (including written materials and binders or other
containers) to Apollonian Publications, LLC; 5612 MacLaren Ave. Yakima, WA 98908.
Your money will be refunded upon receipt of these materials. If you have downloaded
RealityCharting from your company intranet, you may not be able to open the software
unless you agree to the terms of this agreement. All material and the software
associated with this license are copyrighted by Dean L. Gano; Copyright 2004.
1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Apollonian Publications, LLC ("Apollonian") as the Licensor

grants you ("Recipient" or “you”) the Licensee a limited, non-exclusive, nontransferable,
perpetual, royalty-free license to use and reproduce (as described herein) each copy of the
software provided to you by Apollonian (“Product” or “Software”), each such copy to be
installed on a single CPU residing on Recipient's premises. You may not network or
otherwise use it on more than one computer or CPU at the same time.
2. COPY RESTRICTIONS; Ownership of Software. You own the media on which the
software is recorded and Apollonian retains title to the software, including any copies,
regardless of form or media, and to all copyrights therein. RealityCharting and any
accompanying written material, pdf files, User’s Guides, or instructions are copyrighted.
You may either (a) transfer RealityCharting to a single hard disk and retain the original
Software for backup purposes, or (b) make a reasonable number of copies for backup
purposes only and use the accompanying software as your primary source.
3. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS: Recipient shall not rent, lease, sell, sublicense, assign, or
otherwise transfer the Product or any accompanying printed materials
("Documentation"). Recipient may not reverse engineer, de-compile RealityCharting,
except to the extent that the foregoing restriction is expressly prohibited by local law.
Apollonian and its suppliers shall retain title and all ownership rights to the product, and
this Agreement shall not be construed in any manner as transferring any rights of
ownership or license to the Product or to the features or information therein, except as
specifically stated herein.
4. TERMINATION. This License is effective until terminated. The License will terminate
automatically without notice from Apollonian if you fail to comply with any provision of
the License. You may voluntarily terminate at any time. Upon termination, you agree to
destroy or purge all copies of RealityCharting and accompanying materials.
8
5. LIMITED WARRANTY. Apollonian warrants the media on which the Software is

provided to be free from defects under normal use for a period of 90 days from the date
of delivery to you as evidenced by your purchase receipt. Apollonian further warrants
that the Software will operate in accordance with all documentation and specifications
provided by Licensor and does not contain any virus or other routine that can disable,
erase or otherwise harm or compromise the security or integrity of the Software, or
Licensee’s other software, data or systems. It is also warranted that Licensor has full title
to the Software and has all rights necessary to grant the licenses provided in the License
Agreement to Licensee free and clear of any third party claims of any nature whatsoever.
Licensor further warrants that the Software does not and will not infringe or violate any
patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret, non-disclosure obligation, or
other intellectual property or proprietary right of any other person or entity, and
Licensee's use of the Software does not and will not infringe upon or violate any such
right, and there is currently no actual or threatened claim by any such third party based on
an alleged violation of any such right by the Software.
6. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY WARRANTED

HEREIN, REALITYCHARTING IS PROVIDED “AS IS" WITHOUT ANY
ADDITIONAL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, APOLLONIAN
FURTHER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT
OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF REALITYCHARTING AND
DOCUMENTATION REMAINS WITH THE RECIPIENT. APOLLONIAN DOES
NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE
WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE
PROGRAM WILL BE UNINTERRRUPTED OR ERROR FREE OR THAT
PROGRAM DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED.
7. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. Apollonian’s entire liability and your sole remedy

under this License is, at Apollonian’s option, either (a) return of payment as evidenced by
a copy of your purchase receipt: or (b) replacement of media not meeting Apollonian’s
Limited Warranty. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL APOLLONIAN OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY
LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT
OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF APOLLONIAN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES/JURISDICTIONS
DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION
MAY NOT APPLY TO RECIPIENT.
8. GOVERNING LAW; ATTORNEYS FEES. This Agreement shall be governed by the

laws of the State of Washington and Recipient further consents to jurisdiction and venue
9
in the federal courts sitting in Yakima County, Washington, and in the Superior Court of
Yakima County, Washington. Process may be served on either party in the manner
authorized by applicable law or court rule. If either Apollonian or Recipient employs
attorneys to enforce any rights arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees. If you acquired the Product
outside the United States, then local law may apply.
9. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. The Software and Documentation are

provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the
Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (b)(3)(ii) of The Rights
in Technical Data and Computer Software clause of DFARS at 252.227-7013 or
subparagraphs (c)(i) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software -- Restricted Rights
at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable. Manufacturer is Apollonian Publications, LLC, 5612
MacLaren Ave. Yakima, WA 98908.
10. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. Recipient acknowledges that the Product licensed hereunder
is subject to the export control laws and regulations of the U.S.A., and any amendments
thereof. Recipient agrees that it will not export or re-export Product to any country,
person, or entity subject to U.S. export restrictions. Recipient specifically agrees not to
export or re-export Product (i) to any country to which the U.S. embargoes or restricts the
export of goods or services, which as of March 31, 2002, includes, but is not necessarily
limited to, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Serbia, Sudan and Syria, or to any
national of any such country who Recipient knows intends to transmit or transport the
products back to such country; (ii) to any person or entity that Recipient knows or has
reason to know will utilize Product in the design, development or production of nuclear,
chemical or biological weapons; or (iii) to any person or entity that Recipient knows or
has reason to know has been prohibited from participating in U.S. export transactions by
any federal agency of the U.S. government.
11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive
agreement between Apollonian and Recipient with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and supersedes all prior oral or written understandings, communications or agreements
not specifically incorporated herein. This Agreement may not be modified except in
writing duly signed by an authorized representative of Apollonian and Recipient.
10
Chapter One
Getting The Lay Of The Land
RealityCharting Components
RealityCharting uses both common and unique software components as defined below:
Workspace
The RealityCharting workspace is an infinite area on which to create a cause and effect chart.
Moving around the workspace is made easy by grabbing an open area away from a cause and
moving it. Simply find an open area, hold the mouse button down and move the mouse – the
workspace and all the causes on it will move accordingly. You can also move the workspace
by using the scroll bars or clicking on either side of the scroll bar. You can move the entire
chart by selecting the Primary Effect and moving it – all causes will follow. If you loose the
primary effect, select View>Primary Effect and it will appear in the center of the workspace.
The workspace can be cleared of other windows by selecting the close or minimize buttons in
the Wizard, Problem Definition and Holding Area. This provides a less obstructed view of
the workspace.
Wizard
The wizard guides a user through the five step problem solving process. The wizard will only
provide guidance the first time through completion of the steps.
Holding Area
The holding area is used to store causes identified during brainstorming sessions and
provides a location to store unconnected causes prior to saving a file.
Problem Definition
A problem definition area is provided to describe the problem. You can either start by
entering text in the What section or select Wizard Step 1 – the same result will occur. The
Problem Definition area has two view modes that can be toggled back and forth by clicking
on the tab that says Problem Definition.
An expanded view that includes the What, When, Where, and Significance
including their various sub-sections.
A minimized view that displays one line of text for the What, When, Where, and
Significance.
To completely minimize the Problem Definition area, double click the tab or
select the minimize button in the upper right of this window.
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Notes & References

The Notes and References tabs are included with the Problem Definition window. A note
can be entered by the user and is occasionally forced by the software. References are
uniquely located on the chart when additional space is required, such as in the evidence box.
These windows can also be minimized by double clicking the tabs.
Tools
Tool icons are provided along the top edge of the Menu bar and provide the ability to place
the Primary Effect center-left on the workspace, add a cause, run the rules check, start the
solution generation process at a specific cause, and undo/redo many actions. Rollover text
identifies each tool.
Menus
Menus provide access to the many features of RealityCharting. Reference Chapter 7
Features and Tools for more details.
File Menu: The File menu contains conventional options such as Open, Close
and Print. It also contains some very helpful features such as Import, Export and
Create PDF.
Edit Menu: The Edit menu provides the standard edit functions for text editing.
View Menu: The View menu provides access to many different views, zoom and
the ability to show root causes or not.
Rules Menu: The Rules menu provides an alternative access to the rules test and
advanced rules for checking space-time logic and causal logic.
Tools Menu: The Tools menu allows the user to toggle between advanced
evidence mode and a basic mode. It also provides access to the solution
generation feature, and the solution list.
Jewels Menu: The Jewels menu provides access to special features (jewels)
which include a sophisticated Find feature, an Action Item list created from
question marks on the chart, Prepare>View report, and Finalize report.
Help Menu: The Help menu provides access to a list of various help topics and a
tutorial.
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Chapter Two
Getting Started
Getting Started
First, some words to the wise:
To be most effective at using RealityCharting it is highly recommended that you receive

training in the Apollo Problem Solving method before using RealityCharting because this is
as much a new way of thinking as it is a problem-solving tool. Call 1-800-375-0414 or visit
www.apollorca.com for more details.
The purpose of RealityCharting is to ensure that you find effective solutions every time. This
requires that you follow the stepwise process and guidance provided by the Wizard. To do
otherwise will result in an inferior problem analysis. If you are not familiar with
RealityCharting or the Apollo Problem Solving process, it is recommended that you first
watch the Tutorial provided in the Help menu and become familiar with each menu item.
The Wizard provides a step-by-step guide to effective solutions. If you find that you cannot
perform a certain function, it may be that you have not followed the required sequence to
effective solutions. Select the info buttons in the Wizard window for a description of the
required steps.
For a quick refresher or summary of RealityCharting, read Fast Start below. If a more
detailed explanation is required, read Detailed Start below.
Fast Start
The fastest way for first time users to learn is to watch the Tutorial.
A quick refresher and overview is also provided in the Help>Fast Start Movie menu item, or
perform the following few steps to get started:
To get started:
1. Select Wizard Step 1: Complete the Problem Definition by entering text and
selecting the tab key to move through the fields.
2. Select the Complete Button.
3. Add Causes: Select Wizard Step 2 or click on the black square (node) following the
Primary Effect cause box and select Create New Cause from the node menu.
4. Create A Chart: The node menu provides all the features you need to complete a
chart.
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5. Move Causes: Place the arrowhead cursor on top of the cause box bar and drag the
cause to a new location. Please notice that the cursor changes to a pointing hand
whenever you are over a selectable area.
6. Connect Causes: The cause box will automatically align with the position of your
cursor on the bar and snap into position if you place your cursor in the vicinity of a
black node. As you drag the cause box, the light-blue box in the top bar changes to
yellow when it gets within the snap-to zone – release it at this time. All cause boxes
to the right of the moved cause box will automatically come along.
7. Disconnect and Delete Causes: Drag cause boxes to an open space and release. If
you want to remove them from the workspace, drag them to the Holding Area for
later use or into the Trash to delete them. If you move an effect with causes attached
to it into the Holding Area you will be given the option of preserving the causal
relationships or not. CAUTION: Deleting is permanent - there is no way to open the
trashcan and retrieve a cause.
8. Move the Workspace: Grabbing the workspace and dragging it provides rapid
repositioning of all causes. Place the cursor in an open area, press and hold the mouse
button – drag to desired location.
9. Add Evidence: Type your text into the evidence box below each cause box. To add
more evidence click on the (+) sign. To delete evidence, click on the (–) sign.
10. Identify Cause Type: Click on the triangular button to the left of the word Choose
and select Action or Condition.
11. Use the GO TO Feature: Use the GO TO feature in the node menu to show a causal
relationship between various causes on the same chart. Select GO TO in the node
menu and a list of all your causes is presented in an outline format. Select the cause
you want to go to in the outline; it becomes highlighted for verification; select the
submit button and a GO TO relationship is made. Select the light-blue square in front
of the referenced GO TO Cause; a box with reference causes opens. Selecting the
cause text in the popup box allows navigation between these causes. To go back,
select the GO TO Cause text. To delete GO TO connections select GO TO in the
Node Menu, all connected causes are highlighted, click on the cause you want to
delete in the “Outline” and select Submit.
12. OR Logic: To use OR logic, select OR from the node menu. An OR Logic window
opens and displays all immediate causes. Select the two or more causes you wish to
designate as an OR relationship and click the submit button. To remove an OR, select
OR from the node menu, uncheck the cause and then click the submit button.
13. Finishing the Chart: Run the rules test from the node menu to complete the chart.
This will verify that the chart has been built properly.
14. Finish the Analysis: Continue the problem solving process by following Wizard
steps 3, 4, and 5. They are intuitive and easy to follow.
15. Detailed Start: For more details of each step and many other features select and play
with each menu item and see Detailed Start below.
14
Detailed Start
How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works
The first and most important step in problem solving is to define the problem and write it
down. RealityCharting requires a problem definition prior to proceeding with chart creation.
To define the problem in RealityCharting:

1. Select Wizard Step 1.
2. Enter the WHAT of your problem in the text edit window.
3. Hit the tab key and the WHEN section is active.
4. Enter your data.
5. Continue using the tab key and enter data for Where and Significance.
6. Select the Complete button at the bottom of the Problem Definition window.
The Apollo problem solving process requires that you define the problem by writing down
the What, When, Where, and Significance of the problem. Reference the Problem Definition
section in Chapter 3 for more details. Starting with the primary effect, the WHAT in your
problem definition, begin asking “why” or asking “caused by?” until you no longer get
answers. Many answers may already be in front of you from the problem definition or
brainstorming phase - use them.
Creating a RealityChart is very similar to working on a jigsaw puzzle; things are not very
clear until you get some pieces to fit together. It will come together, so be patient. After
experiencing this a few times, you gain confidence and recognize the initial out-of-control
feeling as normal. It is important to capture any and all possible causes without regard for
where they fit into the puzzle - that will come later as you begin to order them. The holding
area provides a space for capturing your early thoughts, but you may wish to do this on the
workspace as well. If the cause is valuable, it will fit; if it is not, it will become obvious and
be removed. Do not waste time in the early stages trying to judge or evaluate the value of
each offered cause.
Maximize efficiency in the beginning by asking “why” immediately after writing down a
cause. This keeps you moving down a productive path and avoids a natural tendency to over
analyze the problem. Anything you can do to keep moving prevents linear thinking and the
common bane of storytelling. The difference between a trained user and an untrained user
can mean hours in problem resolution time. The well-trained user will begin the process with
causes and evidence while the untrained user will start with stories and opinions.
As you enter causes and ask “why?” you will eventually get to the point where you don’t
know the answer. Place a question mark at the end of this cause by using the cause box drop
down menu. Return to the primary effect and go back through the chart asking why and
trying to expand your understanding of the causes. Look for action causes and conditional
causes at each node. Continue going through this loop from the beginning (Primary Effect) to
the end of each cause path and back to the beginning until you can no longer answer why, or
you choose to stop (Use the node menu for creating new causes, stopping or placing a
question mark). If you find that you need more information before concluding your analysis,
use the Jewels menu item “Action Item List.” It automatically creates an action item list from
15
all the question marks on your chart. After finding an answer to these action items, return to
the chart, input your data, run the rules check and go to Wizard Step 3 Identify Solutions.
Brainstorming and Synergizing

RealityCharting allows the user to start by defining the problem or by brainstorming causes
to get a handle on what the problem is. If you know what the problem is, start by selecting
Wizard Step 1 and define the problem. If you want to do a little brainstorming first, the
holding area is provided for that purpose. Documenting your brainstorming ideas is made
easy by selecting SYNERGIZE in the Holding Area. This presents a Synergize window that
allows you to enter any causes/effects you think might be involved with the problem without
having to order them. Type in your cause statements and select the enter key or click the
“Next” button. This will place the possible cause in the holding area for later arrangement.
Continue to do this until you are ready to define the problem in full. You must define the
problem before you create the RealityChart. When finished with the initial problem analysis
or brainstorming, select Finished and proceed to define the problem in the Problem
Definition window. After you have entered the “What” in the problem definition, the Primary
Effect will be placed on the workspace. After completing the problem definition, you may
begin moving the causes out of the holding area and arranging them causally. You may use
the Synergize feature at anytime by selecting the button in the holding area.
To synergize or brainstorm the problem in RealityCharting:

1. Select Synergize in the Holding Area.
2. Discuss possible causes.
3. Enter noun-verb cause statements in the entry field provided.
4. Select the enter key or the Next button.
5. Continue until you have exhausted ideas.
6. Select Finished.
7. If you have not defined the problem, you must do so at this time.
8. Using the pointer tool, move the causes out of the Holding Area.
9. Arrange the causes accordingly.
16
Cause and Effect Charting

After writing the Problem Definition, a Primary Effect is placed on the workspace. The user
should create the RealityChart as described below:
To create a RealityChart:
1. If there are causes in the Holding Area, drag them out and arrange them.
2. If you are just starting your chart, click on the black node after the Primary Effect.
3. Select Create New Cause from the node menu.
4. Enter your cause in a noun-verb format.
5. Click the triangular button in the top bar of the cause box next to Choose.
6. Select the appropriate cause type by clicking Action or Condition.
7. Move the cursor to the Evidence box.
8. Type in your evidence or use a question mark to denote a lack of evidence.
9. Click the (+) sign to add up to 3 evidence boxes.
10. Click the (–) sign to remove evidence.
11. Using the Node menu create additional causes according to your understanding of the
event and repeat steps 4 – 8.
12. Using the node menu, select Stop, GO TO, or “?” at the end of each cause path.
13. Using the node menu, select Run Rules Test.
14. Select Implement in the Rules Test Window.
15. Correct any discrepancies and run the rules test again until you pass.
16. Select menu item Jewels>Action Item List.
17. Use the Action Item List to find as many unknowns as you can.
18. Input the results of your Action Item investigation and run the rules test again.
19. Email your initial chart to other stakeholders for input. (PDF files can be created for
sharing with users who do not have RealityCharting or its reader. A free copy of
RealityCharting Reader is available at www.apollorca.com.)
20. Synergize until you have created a common understanding of the problem and
proceed to identify solutions.
21. Note: If you find the need to cut and paste recurring causes, use the GO TO feature. It
can eliminate the need to repeat causes.
17
Charting Features
Creating New Causes
There are three ways to create new cause boxes.
Click on the black square node at the end of any cause and select Create New Cause -
enter text. Do this as many times as you like and a new cause will be connected at this
point.
Select the Cause Tool icon in the Menu bar and move it onto the workspace and click
it – enter text. Move this cause anywhere on the workspace as required.
Select Synergize within the Holding Area to create a cause that then becomes stored
in this area. Move causes out of the holding area and align your cursor with the black
node in any configuration or leave the causes unconnected on the workspace.
Moving Causes
To move any cause box select it along the top bar with the mouse and hold it down while
dragging it to the new location.
The cause box will automatically align with the position of your cursor on the bar and snap
into position if you place your cursor in the vicinity of a black node.
As you drag the cause box, the light-blue box in the top bar changes to yellow when it gets
within the snap-to zone. In general, this snap-to zone is about the width of the node and
extends out about 1/2 inch to the right. However, in some cases the snap-to feature is only a
few pixels wide depending on where you grab the bar, i.e.: next to the light-blue box. Causes
that are connected to the right of a moved cause box will also move unless first disconnected.
If you move connected causes into the Holding Area, you will be given the option to preserve
the causal relationship or not. If you choose to preserve the relationships, the effect will be
distinguished with a small white box while in the Holding Area.
The selected cause box and all those that follow it can be reordered by disconnecting the
cause reselecting it and attaching it back to the node. Each new cause is added at the bottom
of the column, so if you want to make a,b,c,d become a,d,c,b in a vertical column, drag c out,
release the mouse, reattach it to the node and you get a,b,d,c. Then drag b out, release the
mouse, reattach it to the node and you get a,d,c,b. Knowing this logic, allows you to set any
order you want in the vertical alignment – albeit a bit cumbersome.
18
Disconnecting Causes
To disconnect a cause at the end of a cause chain:
1. Select the cause on the top bar and drag the box to a new location away from other
nodes.
2. Release the mouse button when clear of any nodes. Ensure the yellow node indicator
is not illuminated when releasing the selected cause.
To disconnect a cause in the middle of a cause chain:

1. Drag the cause(s) to the right to an open area and release.
2. Drag the middle cause anywhere on the workspace as a single cause.
Cause Box Restrictions

Primary Effect Movement: You cannot move the Primary Effect into the Trash or
Holding Area. If you want to change the Primary Effect, you must change the text or
move a new cause farthest to the left.
Cause Box with a Solution: If you move a cause box with a solution assigned to it
into the hold area, the solution will be erased from the solutions list without warning.
Cause Box into Trash: If you move a cause box into the trash, you will not get a
warning about doing so, it will just go away. There is no feature to open the trashcan.
Causes that you are not sure about deleting should be placed in the Holding Area and
then use the Empty Holding Area menu item to delete them later.
Noun-Verb Restriction: Enter all cause statements as noun-verb phrases, such as
Broken Leg or Leg Broken, Plant Shutdown, Pump Failed, or Service Impaired. If
you attempt to write a story using adjectives and conjunctions, RealityCharting will
let you know the limits.
Word Limit Restrictions: If you enter more that 26 characters and spaces into a
cause box, a warning will be presented that asks you to only use noun-verb phrases. If
you continue past this warning and exceed 42 characters, another warning will be
presented. This warning can be toggled on and off from the Rules Menu, but you will
still not be allowed to enter more than 42 characters into a cause box.
19
Automatic Features
Primary Effect: RealityCharting will automatically place the Primary Effect on the
chart based on the text in the WHAT section of Problem Definition.
Change Primary Effect Notification: If any cause on the chart is moved into the
farthest left position, RealityCharting will assume that you want a new Primary Effect
and change the WHAT in your Problem Definition, warn you of the change, and give
you the opportunity to change the rest of the problem definition.
Caused By: RealityCharting will place the words “Caused By” between causes.
Snap-To Causes: RealityCharting will snap cause boxes into place when you move
the cursor into the general vicinity of the black node at the end of another cause box.
Causal Elements Stick Together: RealityCharting will move all sister causes along
with the selected cause. (Sister causes are any causes in a chain to the right of the
selected cause.)
Easy Entry of Cause Boxes: When creating a new cause box from the node menu,
RealityCharting will reposition the chart such that the entry point is in the center of
the screen. If this point is near, the chart moves slowly, but you can enter data while it
moves. If this point is far away, the chart shifts very fast.
Auto Reference Numbers: RealityCharting will keep track of Reference numbers
such that if you delete one, you do not have to renumber all others as the numbers
will remain the same and the word “Deleted” will replace the deleted reference text.
Action Item List: RealityCharting will assume that if you place a question mark in
an evidence box or at the end of a cause chain that you would like to know more, so it
automatically creates an Action Item List. Select menu item Jewels>Action Item List
to view it.
Recent Files Retained: RealityCharting keeps track of your most recently used files.
To access them select menu item File>Open Recent.
Changing Cause Statement: If you attempt to change a cause that already has a
solution attached to it, RealityCharting will ask if you want to change the solutions or
not and provide a drop down window showing the current solutions to help you
decide.
Changing Solutions: If you attempt to change a solution that has already passed the
solutions criteria check, RealityCharting will ask if you want to check the criteria
again.
Incident Report: The report date (current date), problem definition, proposed
corrective actions and the associated causes, along with the notes and references are
automatically entered into the incident report.
20
Creating Feedback Loops

To create a feedback loop or other branched causal relationships, use the GO TO feature
located in the Node menu.
Select GO TO in the node menu and a list of all your causes is presented in an outline format.
Select the cause you want to go to in the outline; it becomes highlighted for verification.
Select the submit button and a GO TO reference is made.
Navigation between these causes is made easy. Select the light-blue square in front of the
referenced GO TO Cause; a box with reference cause(s) opens. Selecting the cause text in the
popup box takes you to the selected cause. To go back, select the GO TO Cause text.
Custom references can also be included by selecting Customized Entry in the GO TO
window.
To delete GO TO connections select GO TO in the Node Menu, all connected causes are
highlighted, click on the cause you want to delete in the “Outline” and select Submit.”
All GO TO references become part of the outline view and as such can be used in chart
navigation.
Adding Evidence
Documenting how you know each cause exists is critical to an effective problem analysis.
See Chapter 4, Adding Evidence for more details. Add evidence in the evidence box
provided below each cause box or enter a question mark. You can enter up to three different
lines of evidence.
To add evidence to a cause box:
1. Move the cursor into the evidence box.
2. Enter your text.
3. To add more lines, click on the (+) symbol next to the evidence box and enter your text.
4. Clicking on the (–) symbol will delete the selected evidence box.
Space Restrictions: If your evidence exceeds the size of the evidence box,
RealityCharting will ask you if you want to use a Reference. If you chose to do this,
RealityCharting will automatically place a numbered Reference in the evidence box
and prompt you to enter text in the Reference section.
Advanced Mode: You can use the advanced evidence mode by selecting
Tools>Evidence>Advanced Mode. This will provide a list of common evidence
statements or allow you to enter text of your choice. To use Advanced Mode, select it
in the Tools Menu and place the cursor over the evidence box, click, and when the list
appears, select the evidence statement you want to use.
21
Identifying Cause Type

RealityCharting requires that you identify each cause as either an action or a condition. The
cause type is delineated in the bar above each cause box by selecting Choose.
To identify the cause box type:
1. Click on the white triangle button in the top bar of the cause box.
2. Click on Action or Condition.
Ending a Cause Chain

RealityCharting requires that every cause chain end with a purposeful STOP, a GO TO, or
have a question mark denoting that you have reached your point of ignorance. To accomplish
this, simply select the node menu at the end of every cause chain and select STOP, GO TO,
or “?” The STOP feature will provide several valid reasons for stopping or allow you to enter
your own reason for stopping.
To end a cause chain:
1. Select the node menu at the end of a cause chain.
2. Select STOP, GO TO, or ? – More Information Needed
3. If you select STOP, select as many of the following reasons as are applicable:
a. Desired Condition – Select this if the cause path took you to a desired
condition, such as production limit reached or required quality.
b. Lack of Control – Select this if the next cause is outside your control and you
have no way of influencing it. Do not confuse this with the next reason for
stopping.
c. New Primary Effect – Select this if the last cause is the beginning of another
problem. This may be caused by your lack of knowledge or lack of control.
d. Other Cause Paths More Productive – Select this if it is clear this cause path
provides no value. This is usually a cause like Sky is Blue.
e. Other – Select this cause if you want to customize your reason for stopping.
f. Need More Information – Select this item if you want to add it to the action
item list for further investigation.
4. If you select GO TO identify the other cause or causes in your chart.
5. If you select ? – More Information Needed a “?” will be placed at the end of the cause
chain.
Finishing a Chart With a Rules Check

To ensure that you have created the RealityChart in accordance with the Apollo Problem
Solving Method, you must run a rules test.
To finish a chart:
1. Select Rules>Implement Rules or open the Node menu by clicking any node and
select Run Rules Test.
2. Select Implement.
3. Correct any discrepancies.
4. Run the rules test again if necessary.
22
Rules Check Options

When the Rules Check screen appears you will be given the opportunity to turn off any of the
rule checks, but to do so would jeopardize the quality of your report. If you have any
questions about what the various checks do, select the info button for details.
When you choose Implement, the following tests will be performed:
• Remove Unconnected Cause check: The remove unconnected cause check
identifies any causes that are not connected and gives you the opportunity to connect,
delete or move them into the holding area.
• Empty Box check: The empty box check examines all cause boxes to identify any
empty boxes. If any are found you will be given the opportunity to delete it or not.
• Action Condition check: RealityCharting will scan all causes and determine if you
have labeled them action or condition. If not, it will give you the opportunity to do so.
After all causes have been labeled, RealityCharting will check to see if you have at
least one action cause and one condition cause for each effect. If you have not met
this requirement, you will be given the opportunity to do so, or proceed without a
branched causal set. If you choose to proceed, a note will be placed in the Notes
section stating that: “Some causes may have been purposefully left off the chart.”
• Conjunction check: The conjunction check will scan all the causes to identify
common conjunctions in the middle of other words. If conjunctions are used it usually
indicates story telling, which is not allowed in a cause box. The conjunction will be
identified and you will be given the opportunity to correct this error. If you choose to
override this error, a note will be placed in the Notes area that says: Some cause
phrases contain conjunctions and may not be clear, please feel free to question them.
• Evidence check: The evidence check will verify that you have entered evidence or a
question mark in the evidence box. If you have not, RealityCharting will provide an
opportunity to add evidence or override this requirement. If you choose override, a
question mark will be placed in the evidence box and an action item will be generated
to obtain the necessary evidence.
• Point of Ignorance check: The point of ignorance check tests to see if you have
placed a STOP, a GO TO, or a “?” at the end of each cause chain. If any
inconsistencies are found, you will be given the opportunity to address them.
23
Creating Solutions
There are several ways to enter solutions into RealityCharting. The fastest and most common
method is to review a printed version of your RealityChart to determine which causes you
want to attach solutions to. Using the Solution Tool, represented as a light bulb in the top
menu bar, select the cause you want to add a solution to and RealityCharting will open the
Solutions Generation window listing that cause.
To use the Solution Tool:
1. Select the Solution Tool in the top Menu bar. (A light bulb icon appears.)
2. Move the light bulb icon to your first cause and click on it.
3. In the Solutions Generation window, add your solutions and Save.
4. Close the Solution Generation window.
5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for all remaining causes you want to attach solutions to.
RealityCharting also provides a systematic method of looking at each cause on the chart and
provides the opportunity to add solutions as you wish. To activate this process, use one of the
following:
Select Wizard Step 3
Select menu item Tools>Solution Generation
Select Identify Solutions in the Node menu after each cause
To Create Solutions:
1. Select one of the three options listed above to start the process.
2. Evaluate the cause being presented to determine if you can change, modify or
otherwise remove it from the cause chain.
3. Enter your possible solution in the edit window provided.
4. Select the enter key or click on Save.
a. If you click on save and then want to add another solution, click on Add
Solution to get back to the edit window.
5. Enter another possible solution if you have one and select enter again.
6. If you have no proposed solutions for this cause, select Next Cause at the bottom of
the Solutions Generation window.
7. Continue to enter solutions by repeating the above steps.
8. When you reach the last cause on the chart and select Next Cause one more time,
RealityCharting will remove the Solution Generation window and present the
Possible Solutions List.
9. If you want to view the Possible Solutions List at any time, select Show List at the
bottom of the Solutions Generation window.
10. If you want to go back to the previous cause, select Previous cause at the bottom of
the Solution Generation window.
24
Upon selecting any of the options above, RealityCharting will provide a window to allow
you to add up to 5 solutions for the cause it has highlighted. In general it starts in the upper
left of the cause chart, depending on which method you chose to start the process and
presents each cause in your RealityChart. If the chart is large it may be helpful to print and
use it as a reference as you enter your possible solutions.
You can get to the list of solutions either by selecting the SHOW LIST button in the Solution
Generation window, or by selecting the menu item Tools>Possible Solutions List.
Testing Solutions
Effective solutions can be assured if they meet the Apollo Solution Criteria.
An effective solution must:
Prevent recurrence
Be within your control
Meet your goals and objectives
Not cause other significant problems
Checking the Criteria

To check a possible solution against the criteria:
1. With the Possible Solutions List showing, select the Check button to the left of the
solution you want to check.
2. In the Check Criteria window, answer the criteria questions by clicking Yes or No.
3. After answering all questions, select Submit.
4. If you know the solution passes all criteria, you can just hit the Enter key and the
criteria will pass.
You may answer the questions one at a time by clicking your answer with the mouse button,
or if you already know the solution passes all the criteria, simply hit the enter key for a
default selection and “Passed” will appear where “Check” used to be. You will notice that the
answers that result in the criteria passing are highlighted. If you choose No for question 2
you are further asked if you could gain support from those who have control. If you answer
yes, this question has passed the criteria. If you answer No, it will fail. After checking all the
criteria, select the submit button.
You can re-check the criteria at any time by selecting the “Failed” or “Passed” text in the
criteria column of the Possible Solutions List.
25
Implementing Solutions
Any solutions that have passed the criteria check can be selected for implementation.
To accept a solution for implementation:
1. In the Possible Solutions List window, click on the box to the right of the solution in
the Implement column. Only solutions that have passed the criteria check can be
implemented. Checking the Implement box will automatically place this solution and
its corresponding cause into the incident report.
2. After you have checked all proposed solutions against the solution criteria and
identified at least one to implement, select Done at the bottom of the Possible
Solutions window.
Preparing the Incident Report

RealityCharting provides three ways to begin preparing the incident report.
Select Prepare Report in the Possible Solutions window
Select Wizard Step 4, OR
Select menu item Jewels>Prepare>View Report
To prepare the Incident Report:

1. Upon selecting one of the above options, an Incident Report will be placed on the
screen.
2. Fill in the empty fields on the Incident Report.
a. Date Investigation Started
b. Report Number
c. Cause and Effect Summary Statement
d. Name of the person responsible for implementing the solution.
e. Due Date
f. Investigation Team Members
3. Edit any text and verify the chart is correct.
4. Select Finalize Report at the bottom of the report window.
The Problem Definition, Notes, and References will automatically be entered and are editable
from their respective windows. The Solutions that you identified as being implemented will
automatically be placed on the report along with the corresponding cause.
To edit the Incident Report:

All fields can be edited except the What and the Cause fields. The Report Date is
automatically entered based on the current date.
1. Select the text window to edit.
2. Highlight the text of any field and edit.
3. Text is automatically saved when you close the window.
26
Finalizing the Incident Report

RealityCharting provides three ways to finalize the incident report.
Select menu item Jewels>Finalize Report
Select Finalize Report at the bottom of the Incident Report window
Upon selecting one of these items, RealityCharting will begin performing a final check of the
report and the chart to verify that all the fields in the report have been filled out, AND
automatically run the rules test again. If at any time a discrepancy is discovered,
RealityCharting will provide an opportunity to correct it. When everything has been
successfully completed, Wizard Step 5 will indicate “Report Finalized.”
Printing, Exporting, and Creating PDF’s

Printing
Selecting File>Print opens a Print Options window, which allows you to select from a list
included as follows. You may select more than one option at a time for printing. Links for
printing from the Page Layout views are also provided and are recommended for chart
printing. Reference the Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF for Page Layout section for
additional information.
Full Chart View
Outline View
Report
Action Items List
Possible Solutions List
These views and reports can also be printed by selecting the Print button at the bottom of
each respective window.
Exporting
Selecting File>Export opens an Export Options window which allows you to select from the
following list. More than one option at a time can be selected. Links for exporting the
Optimize and Causal Elements view are also provided. The chosen items are placed on the
clipboard, ready for pasting into other applications and may need to be reformatted in your
new document.
Outline View
Report
Action Items List
These views and reports can also be exported by selecting the Export button at the bottom of
each respective window (with the exception of the Full Chart view).
27
Creating PDF’s
Selecting File>Create PDF opens a Create PDF Options window which allows you to select
from the following list. More than one option at a time can be selected. Links for creating
pdf’s of the Optimize and Causal Elements views are also provided. Adobe Acrobat® can be
used to print a pdf file.
Full Chart View
Outline View
Report
Action Items List
These views and reports can also be created in pdf by selecting the Create PDF button at the
bottom of each respective window (with the exception of the Full Chart view).
Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF for Page Layout

To print, export, or create a pdf of the chart’s Page Layout options select View>Page
Layout>Optimized or View>Page Layout>Causal Elements. You will be afforded several
options for printing pages or ranges of pages after selecting either Print, Export, or Create
PDF from the bottom of the view window.
The Page Layout views provide several options for viewing, exporting, creating pdf’s, and
printing the chart. A long list of common page sizes is available or a customized page size
can be selected to configure the chart to accommodate your printer or text application. Chart
page numbers are added to the upper right corner of each view, similarly like a road atlas, to
reference each new page. The Optimize and Causal Elements views are presented as a
separate window from the workspace. Changes made to the workspace while the Optimize
View is open can be included by selecting the Refresh button in the top bar of this window.
Page navigation is easily accomplished in these views by selecting the red dot, which opens
the continuation page, or the red circle, which takes you back to the origination page. A
“Back” button is also provided at the bottom of the window.
Optimize View: This view automatically fits a chart into a user selected page size, on
multiple sheets if needed, so that it remains readable and maintains usefulness as a
communication tool.
Causal Elements View: This view automatically separates a causal effect and it’s
immediate causes onto a single sheet for individual viewing and analysis. The
Primary Effect and it’s immediate causes are shown first and can be changed by
continuing to select the red dot along the desired cause path. Selecting an effect in the
outline view or the normal view will place it center left in the Causal Elements view
28
Resizing a RealityChart for Printing

If you have the need to resize a chart onto a single sheet, beyond the automatic sizing of the
Optimize View, use the following procedure to resize any RealityChart.
To fit a chart on a single page:
1. Select Page Layout>Optimize View.
2. Select Page Size.
3. Enter the dimensions that will likely contain the chart in a single page (max 99x99) or
choose from a long list of standard page sizes.
4. Select Resize Page.
5. The page will be resized. Repeat as necessary until you have the chart scaled on one
page the way you want it. Zooming out to 25% helps you see the whole page size.
6. Select Export.
7. Paste the chart into your chosen application. The chart will be imported to fit the
currently open page size and can then be manipulated as needed.
Printing to a Printer Plotter

To print to a Printer Plotter:
1. Select File>Print.
2. Select Full Chart View* in the Print Options window.
3. Select the Print button.
4. Select your printer plotter in your print setup window.
5. Select OK or Print in your print setup window.
* Selecting this option and printing to a conventional sized printer will print multiple sheets
needing to be cut and taped together to form a single full chart view. This is an unnecessary
exercise when considering the convenience of the Optimize View and resizing capabilities.
29
Chapter Three
Problem Definition
What is a problem?
A problem is the gap between an actual and a desired condition. If the goal is to produce a
product safely and efficiently and someone is injured in the process, or the cost of production
exceeds the allocated cost there is a gap between actual and desired. If a person was whole
and then lost a leg, the difference between these two conditions is a problem. If we are happy
and something changes to make us unhappy, there is a gap and thus a problem. Every
problem can be defined in terms of a gap. With this fundamental understanding of a problem
being the gap between the goal and the actual state, every problem should be defined within
the context of a goal. Therefore we must first know what the goals are to define a problem.
Likewise, we must know what our present state is. The present state is the What in your
problem definition. It is the starting point of every problem analysis and the condition of
consequence that you are going to ask why about.
How the Software Works

Defining the Problem
The first and most important step in problem solving is to define the problem and write it
down. RealityCharting requires a problem definition prior to proceeding with chart creation.
To define the problem in RealityCharting:
1. Select Wizard Step 1.
2. Enter the WHAT of your problem in the text edit window.
3. Hit the tab key and the WHEN section becomes active.
4. Enter your data.
5. Continue using the tab key and enter data for Where and Significance.
6. Select the Complete button at the bottom of the Problem Definition window.
Editing the Problem Definition Window

To edit the problem definition sub-sections, select the Edit button at the bottom of the
Problem Definition Window and a preferences window will open.
Deselect any of the default sub-sections and they will be removed until you change them
back.
Add any new sub-sections by selecting the Add Sub-Section button in the Problem Definition
Setup window.
To remove any added sub-sections, select the delete button next to it.
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If you open a file that has different subsections than your settings, they will be displayed
without changing your settings unless you select Edit and OK the changes in the Problem
Definition Setup window.
Completing the Problem Definition

When finished defining the problem, select Complete at the bottom of the window and the
problem definition window will be reduced in size such that only one line of What, When,
Where and Significance will be shown. Sub-sections will be displayed with a comma
between them until there is no more space in the window.
The problem definition window can be minimized with the minimize button in the upper
right corner of the window or by double clicking on the tab. Single clicking the Problem
Definition tab will reduce the window to a condensed form with only one line for each field.
Click again to expand the Problem Definition window.
Primary Effect Box

Placing text in the WHAT section of the problem definition will automatically create a
primary effect box, which is the first box on the RealityChart. The WHAT text and the
Primary Effect box text are the same. Changing the text in either location will change the text
in both. If you move a cause on the chart to the left most position, it will become the Primary
Effect and change the WHAT text in the problem definition after a warning.

Writing a Complete Problem Definition
A complete problem definition should include four elements:
• What is the problem?
• When did it happen?
• Where did it happen?
• What is the significance of the problem?
The WHAT of any problem is the effect of consequence. This is the effect we do not want to
recur, and hence we are calling it the primary effect. The primary effect is the beginning of
asking “why.” It is a noun-verb statement such as “clock stopped,” “arm broke,” “system
failed,” etc.
The WHEN of any problem is the relative time of the primary effect. It may be the time of
day or the point in a sequence of causes, such as “after the light changed,” or “During Day
Shift.”
The WHERE of any problem is the relative location of the primary effect. It may be the
physical coordinates on a map or the position relative to something else, such as “River Road
and Campbell,” or “Next to the sink in the lunch room.”
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The SIGNIFICANCE of any problem is the relative value the primary effect has on you or
your organization. It is the answer to the question, “Why am I (we) working on this
problem?”
When we put all these together, we have a clear understanding of the problem. Refer to the
problem definition below for an example:
What: Broken Arm
When: 10:32, after lunch
Where: Next to the sink in the lunch room
Significance: Lost work day, Pain, Total Cost $1,500, Second Occurrence
Knowing the significance upfront not only helps us prioritize the need to work on the
problem, it also helps us determine which causes to pursue and which solutions are within
our control. Significance can involve many factors, but the most common ones are cost,
safety, and frequency.
Properly assessing the significance of the problem is perhaps the most important element of
defining the problem. By knowing the significance in the initial problem definition phase, we
determine the required effort and priority of the problem before proceeding; we may even
determine not to pursue the problem at all.
If a problem resulted in the loss of business or a severe injury, the problem is significant and
deserves attention. In personnel performance issues, frequency may determine our corrective
action. If an employee who frequently makes mistakes caused a problem and our causes lead
us to find he/she chooses not to learn, our corrective action legitimately could be to terminate
employment. But, if the problem was caused by the lapse in concentration of a valued
employee after 20 years of error-free work, the significance is radically different; and we
may choose to do nothing for the exact same set of causes.
As another example, if a fall caused a broken wrist and the wrist is mine, the significance
might be minimal if it happened once in 30 years of snow skiing because the frequency is
acceptable to me. With this minimal significance, I may only need to understand a few
causes to help me avoid the conditions that set me up to fail. If, on the other hand, the broken
wrist was that of 3 professional football players, this was the third time it has happened, and
it kept three players off the field for six weeks each, then the significance is much greater
than my skiing injury. In this situation we may need to understand a hundred causes to find
an effective solution. Each situation is different, and you will learn from experience how far
to go to find the best solutions.
The greater the significance, the more important it may be to know the causes between the
causes because each new cause adds more opportunities for an effective solution. Including
the significance in the problem definition is essential to effective problem solving.
When stating the significance, be specific and try to avoid categorical statements. Instead of
injury, the significance may be stated as “lost use of hand”; or, instead of “facility
shutdown,” we should state “lost $50,000 in production costs.”
Significance is relative to our goals and objectives. If our organization has a goal to produce
something safely and economically or to provide the best service possible, the significance of
the problem should center around these goals.
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Knowing the significance also helps us know which questions to ask during the analysis
phase. As we go down the various cause paths, it helps us decide which paths may provide
the best solutions. For example, if my problem is a waste spill, then knowing what kind of
waste it is not only tells me what the significance is, it also tells me which “why” questions
to ask later. If it is just dirty water, then I may only need to find out why it got out of its
container. If it is toxic waste, then I may need to ask more “why” questions to find out why it
was not contained by a secondary containment system.
Significance is completely relative and unique to each problem, but if we don’t define it
upfront, it has a tremendous negative impact on our ability to effectively and efficiently solve
our problems.
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Chapter Four
Creating A Chart
Creating a RealityChart
Node Menu
The Node Menu provides all the necessary features to create a chart. It is accessed by
clicking on the node (black box) following each cause box. The following menu items are
provided:
Create New Cause
Selecting this feature will create a new cause and automatically connect it to the node you
selected.
Stop
Selecting this feature will place the word STOP after the node and give you an option of
explaining why you stopped. Select from a list of reasons or enter your own in the space
provided. You must chose Stop, GO TO, or a question mark at the end of every cause chain.
If you select STOP, select as many of the following as are applicable:
Desired Condition – Select this if the cause path took you to a desired condition, such as
production limit reached or required quality attained.
Lack of Control – Select this if the next cause is outside your control and you have no
way of influencing it. Do not confuse this with the next reason for stopping.
New Primary Effect – Select this if the last cause is the beginning of another problem.
This may be caused by your lack of knowledge or lack of control.
Other Cause Paths More Productive – Select this if it is clear this cause path provides
no value. This is usually a cause like Sky is Blue.
Other – Select this cause if you want to customize your reason for stopping.
Need More Information – Select this item if you want to add it to the action item list for
further investigation. Selecting this item will prevent selection of any other options and
will place a “?” after the node. An action item is generated to obtain the necessary
information and can be viewed through the Jewels>Action Item List menu.
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? – More Information Needed

Selecting this feature will place a “?” after the node. An action item is generated to obtain the
necessary information and can be viewed through the Jewels>Action Item List menu.
Run Rules Test

Selecting this item will present the Rules Test menu for implementation.
Identify Solutions
Selecting this item will start the solution generation process of Wizard Step 3. Reference the
Solution Generation section in Chapter 5 for additional details.
GO TO
Selecting this feature allows you to show a causal relationship between various causes on the
same chart. When selected a list of all your causes is presented in an outline format. Select
the cause you want to go to in the outline; it becomes highlighted for verification; select the
submit button and a GO TO reference is made. Select the light-blue square in front of the
referenced GO TO Cause; a box with reference causes opens. Selecting the cause text in the
popup box allows navigation between these causes. To go back, select the GO TO Cause
text. To delete GO TO connections select GO TO in the Node Menu, all connected causes are
highlighted, click on the cause you want to delete in the “Outline” and select Submit.
OR
Selecting this item opens and displays all immediate causes. Select the two or more causes
you wish to designate as an OR relationship and click the submit button. An “Or” will be
placed in front of each selected cause. Uncheck the causes and select Submit to remove the
“Or” designation.
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Creating a Chart
To create a RealityChart:
1. If there are causes in the Holding Area, drag them out and arrange them.
2. If you are just starting your chart, click on the black node after the Primary Effect.
3. Select Create New Cause from the node menu.
4. Enter your cause in a noun-verb format.
5. Click the triangular button in the top bar of the cause box next to Choose.
6. Select the appropriate cause type by clicking Action or Condition.
7. Move the cursor to the Evidence box.
8. Type in your evidence or use a question mark to denote a lack of evidence.
9. Click the (+) sign to create up to 3 evidence boxes.
10. Click the (–) sign to remove evidence.
11. Using the Node menu create additional causes according to your understanding of the
event and repeat steps 4 – 8.
12. Using the node menu, select Stop, GO TO, or “?” at the end of each cause path.
13. Using the node menu, select Run Rules Test.
14. Select Implement in the Rules Test Window.
15. Correct any discrepancies and run the rules test again until you pass.
16. Select menu item Jewels>Action Item List.
17. Use the Action Item List to find as many unknowns as you can.
18. Input the results of your Action Item investigation and run the rules test again.
19. Email your initial chart to other stakeholders for input. (PDF files can be created for
sharing with users who do not have RealityCharting or its reader. A free copy of
RealityCharting Reader is available at www.apollorca.com.)
20. Synergize until you have created a common understanding of the problem and
proceed to identify solutions.
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Charting Features
Creating New Causes
There are three ways to create new cause boxes.
Click on the black square node at the end of any cause and select Create New Cause -
enter text. Do this as many times as you like and a new cause will be connected at this
point.
Select the Cause Tool icon in the Menu bar and move it onto the workspace and click
it – enter text. Move this cause anywhere on the workspace as required.
Select Synergize within the Holding Area to create a cause that then becomes stored
in this area. Move causes out of the holding area and align your cursor with the black
node in any configuration or leave the causes unconnected on the workspace.
What is a Cause?
When we express a cause or an effect, we see that it has a name and an action – a noun and a
verb. In the case of a conditional cause, the verb is often understood as “exists” or “is.” For
an action cause, the verb is the action and the noun is the thing that is acting or being acted
upon. For example, if the effect is Unhappy Customer, the verb is understood as “exists.” A
corresponding action cause may be Computer Failed, which is expressed as a noun
(Computer) and verb (Failed). The corresponding conditional cause in the following example
is expressed as a noun (Customer), with an unstated verb of “exists.” When expressing cause
and effect relationships, we should always attempt to follow these conventions. While we
should not waste time checking every cause to ensure compliance, knowing this convention
can improve clarity.
Action Cause
Computer
Failed
Unhappy Caused
Customer By
Condition Cause
Customer
(Exists)
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How the Software Checks Your Work

To ensure that you do not engage in story telling, only use noun-verb statements of cause. To
help enforce this requirement, RealityCharting will only allow 42 characters to be placed in a
cause box. A warning is provided at 26 characters and again at 42 characters. If you choose
OK, you can continue to add text until the three lines in the cause box are full. The Noun-
Verb warnings can be turned On/Off by toggling the menu item Rules/Noun-Verb Rule
Check or by selecting “Do not show this warning again.” in the Alert window. Also, at some
time in the creation of the Apollo RealityChart, you should place the pointer tool on the small
triangular button in the header of each cause box to identify the cause as either an action or
condition. When the Rules Check is performed, RealityCharting will check to make sure you
have identified each cause as either an action or a condition. If you have not done this, it will
give you the opportunity. RealityCharting will then check to see if you have identified at
least one action and one conditional cause for each effect. If not, it will give you the
opportunity to correct this potential deficiency. You may choose not to have two causes for
each effect and this may be acceptable for your purposes. If you choose not to identify an
action and condition for each effect, a note will be placed on the chart that reads: “Some
causes have been purposefully left off the chart.”

As you identify the causes, do not be concerned with whether they are actions (momentary
causes that bring conditions together to cause an effect) or conditions (causes that exist over
time prior to an action). Rather, just concentrate on identifying the causes. After you’ve listed
your causes, go back through the RealityChart and look for branches. If you have written
down an action-type cause, ask yourself what conditions had to be in place for the action to
cause the effect. For each conditional cause, make sure you have a corresponding action
cause. Remember, we often find several conditional causes and one action cause in each
elemental causal set (an effect and its immediate causes).
The only value of knowing if a cause is an action or a condition is that it tells us which one is
missing and hence which one we need to look for. In a completed RealityChart, there is no
value in knowing the difference between an action cause and a conditional cause.
Action causes are more readily identified than conditional causes because people are action
oriented. As an example, consider the timeline or sequence of events in the example below:
Time Timeline Entries
0935 High-temperature alarm on the outboard bearing of pump 102.
0945 Fire alarm sounded in Building 603.
0946 Operator reported fire; fire brigade was activated.
0947 Plant manager was phoned at home.
0949 Fire suppression system was activated in Building 603.
0950 Catalyst tank exploded.
1002 Fire alarm sounded in Building 604.
1010 Building 604 exploded.
1011 Fire suppression system was activated in Building 604.
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Every one of these timeline entries is an action cause. By focusing on actions and not on the
associated conditional causes important causes may be left out that might otherwise be acted
on to provide an effective solution. If we add some conditional causes and effects to this
picture, the elemental causal sets begin to emerge. By evaluating each action cause in the
timeline, we are able to create some elemental causal sets that will eventually come together
to form a complete RealityChart.
Often times the conditional cause of something existing seems fairly innocent at first glance,
but sometimes when asking why, we may find the clue to prevention. Each time we develop an
elemental causal set, we enrich our understanding of the problem and increase the number of
causes, each of which may provide an opportunity for prevention. The best solutions are
usually associated with conditional causes, partly because of our greater ability to control
conditional causes, whereas people or action causes are less predictable.
It is often advantageous to start with a sequence of events and use it to build your causal set.
It provides a good skeleton by identifying the action causes that seem important to the event.
Be cautioned however, that some event entries from a sequence of events can be meaningless
when put into a RealityChart because they may be story elements, not causes. In the previous
example, the event entry of 0947 hours: “Plant manager was phoned at home,” is of little
value as a cause because it is a story element, not a cause. Story elements are important to a
story because they have implied meanings, but they do not provide causal information.
Sometimes causes are non-causes. That is, they are non-actions or non-conditions. For
example, if the conditional cause was “Building Exists,” and it was caused by “Building not
torn down,” we have a negative cause. While a negative statement, it is treated as an action
cause. The same can occur with conditions. We can have “no firefighters on duty” as a
conditional cause.
Moving Causes
To move any cause box select it along the top bar with the mouse and hold it down while
dragging it to the new location.
The cause box will automatically align with the position of your cursor on the bar and snap
into position if you place your cursor in the vicinity of a black node.
As you drag the cause box, the light-blue box in the top bar changes to yellow when it gets
within the snap-to zone. In general, this snap-to zone is about the width of the node and
extends out about 1/2 inch to the right. However, in some cases the snap-to feature is only a
few pixels wide depending on where you grab the bar, i.e.: next to the light-blue box. Causes
that are connected to the right of a moved cause box will also move unless first disconnected.
If you move connected causes into the Holding Area, you will be given the option to preserve
the causal relationship or not. If you choose to preserve the relationships, the effect will be
distinguished with a small white box while in the Holding Area.
The cause and all those that follow it can be reordered by disconnecting the cause reselecting
it and attaching it back to the node. Each new cause is added at the bottom of the column, so
if you want to make a,b,c,d become a,d,c,b in a vertical column, drag c out, release the
mouse, reattach it to the node and you get a,b,d,c. Then drag b out, release the mouse,
reattach it to the node and you get a,d,c,b. Knowing this logic, allows you to set any order
you want in the vertical alignment – albeit a bit cumbersome.
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Disconnecting Causes
To disconnect a cause at the end of a cause chain:
1. Select the cause on the top bar and drag the box to a new location away from other
nodes.
2. Release the mouse button when clear of any nodes. Ensure the yellow node indicator
is not illuminated when releasing the selected cause.
To disconnect a cause in the middle of a cause chain:

1. Drag the cause(s) to the right to an open area and release.
2. Drag the middle cause anywhere on the workspace as a single cause.
Cause Box Restrictions

Primary Effect Movement: You cannot move the Primary Effect into the Trash or
Holding Area. If you want to change the Primary Effect, you must change the text or
move a new cause farthest to the left.
Cause Box with a Solution: If you move a cause box with a solution assigned to it
into the hold area, the solution will be erased from the solutions list without warning.
Cause Box into Trash: If you move a cause box into the trash, you will not get a
warning about doing so, it will just go away. There is no feature to open the trashcan.
Causes that you are not sure about deleting should be placed in the Holding Area and
then use the Empty Holding Area menu item to delete them later.
Noun-Verb Restriction: Enter all cause statements as noun-verb phrases, such as
Broken Leg or Leg Broken, Plant Shutdown, Pump Failed, or Service Impaired. If
you attempt to write a story using adjectives and conjunctions, RealityCharting will
let you know the limits.
Word Limit Restrictions: If you enter more that 26 characters and spaces into a
cause box, a warning will be presented that asks you to only use noun-verb phrases. If
you continue past this warning and exceed 42 characters, another warning will be
presented. This warning can be toggled on and off from the Rules Menu, but you will
still not be allowed to enter more than 42 characters into a cause box.
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Automatic Features
Primary Effect: RealityCharting will automatically place the Primary Effect on the
chart based on the text in the WHAT section of Problem Definition.
Change Primary Effect Notification: If any cause on the chart is moved into the
farthest left position, RealityCharting will assume that you want a new Primary Effect
and change the WHAT in your Problem Definition, warn you of the change, and give
you the opportunity to change the rest of the problem definition.
Caused By: RealityCharting will place the words “Caused By” between causes.
Snap-To Causes: RealityCharting will snap cause boxes into place when you move
the cursor into the general vicinity of the black node at the end of another cause box.
Causal Elements Stick Together: RealityCharting will move all sister causes along
with the selected cause. (Sister causes are any causes in a chain to the right of the
selected cause.)
Easy Entry of Cause Boxes: When creating a new cause box from the node menu,
RealityCharting will reposition the chart such that the entry point is in the center of
the screen. If this point is near, the chart moves slowly, but you can enter data while it
moves. If this point is far away, the chart shifts very fast.
Auto Reference Numbers: RealityCharting will keep track of Reference numbers
such that if you delete one, you do not have to renumber all others as the numbers
will remain the same and the word “Deleted” will replace the deleted reference text.
Action Item List: RealityCharting will assume that if you place a question mark in
an evidence box or at the end of a cause chain that you would like to know more, so it
automatically creates an Action Item List. Select menu item Jewels>Action Item List
to view it.
Recent Files Retained: RealityCharting keeps track of your most recently used files.
To access them select menu item File>Open Recent.
Changing Cause Statement: If you attempt to change a cause that already has a
solution attached to it, RealityCharting will ask if you want to change the solutions or
not and provide a drop down window showing the current solutions to help you
decide.
Changing Solutions: If you attempt to change a solution that has already passed the
solutions criteria check, RealityCharting will ask if you want to check the criteria
again.
Incident Report: The report date (current date), problem definition, proposed
corrective actions and the associated causes, along with the notes and references are
automatically entered into the incident report.
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Creating Feedback Loops

To create a feedback loop or other branched causal relationships, use the GO TO feature
located in the Node menu.
Select GO TO in the node menu and a list of all your causes is presented in an outline format.
Select the cause you want to go to in the outline; it becomes highlighted for verification.
Select the submit button and a GO TO reference is made.
Navigation between these causes is made easy. Select the light-blue square in front of the
referenced GO TO Cause; a box with reference cause(s) opens. Selecting the cause text in the
popup box takes you to the selected cause. To go back, select the GO TO Cause text.
Custom references can also be included by selecting Customized Entry in the GO TO
window.
To delete GO TO connections select GO TO in the Node Menu, all connected causes are
highlighted, click on the cause you want to delete in the “Outline” and select Submit.”
All GO TO references become part of the outline view and as such can be used in chart
navigation.
Adding Evidence
Documenting how you know each cause exists is critical to an effective problem analysis.
See Chapter 4, Adding Evidence for more details. Add evidence in the evidence box
provided below each cause box or enter a question mark. You can enter up to three different
lines of evidence.
To add evidence to a cause box:
1. Move the cursor into the evidence box.
2. Enter your text.
3. To add more lines, click on the (+) symbol next to the evidence box and enter your text.
4. Clicking on the (–) symbol will delete the selected evidence box.
Space Restrictions
If your evidence exceeds the size of the evidence box, RealityCharting will ask you if you
want to use a Reference. If you chose to do this, RealityCharting will automatically place a
numbered Reference in the evidence box and prompt you to enter text in the Reference
section.
Advanced Mode
You can use the advanced evidence mode by selecting Tools>Evidence>Advanced Mode.
This will provide a list of common evidence statements or allow you to enter text of your
choice. To use Advanced Mode, select it in the Tools Menu and place the cursor over the
evidence box, click, and when the list appears, select the evidence statement you want to use.
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Dealing With a Lack of Evidence

In the early stages of chart development, it is not uncommon to have questions about
evidence so you may wish to enter a question mark. If you want to create an action item list
from these questions go to the Jewels menu and select Action Item List. RealityCharting will
create a list of all causes and evidence that have a question mark. This list can be used to
assign action for further investigation. Upon completion, you can return to the chart and enter
the information where the question mark was.
What is Evidence?
Most people have an intuitive understanding of what evidence is and yet find it difficult to
clearly define. Evidence should state how you know the cause exists, such as what sense did
you use to know it? To better understand evidence, it is important that you read this entire
section.
The use of evidence is unique to the Apollo Problem Solving method and is probably the
most important part of the RealityChart. It not only provides objective evidence to support
the existence of a cause, it helps prevent us from being too arrogant about what we think we
know. If we don’t know how the cause exists, we can use a question mark to reflect our lack
of knowledge. While our culture demands an arrogance and assumption that we know
everything, the purpose of problem solving is to find answers to the unknown and embrace
our ignorance as the gateway to finding effective solutions. It is perfectly acceptable to say,
“I don’t know” in the problem solving process. These points of ignorance provide a starting
point for discovery.
At some point, as you create the Apollo RealityChart, usually the third or fourth pass from
beginning to end and back, begin to add evidence to each cause. For each unanswered “why”
question and each cause that does not have supporting evidence (represented with a question
mark), find more information. After finding the unknown information, return to the chart and
finish it by inputting the results of your findings. Repeat this process until you are satisfied
with the results of the RealityChart. This is not an invitation to over-analyze or study the
problem to death. Rather, it is a desire to incorporate as much knowledge as reasonably
possible given your time constraints. It usually only takes one iteration of going outside your
immediate knowledge base to find additional evidence and unknown causes.
The question often arises, “How do we know we have good evidence?” We seem to have an
innate understanding of what evidence is and very few people have difficulty establishing
causal evidence where it is available. However, when asked to define evidence or explain
what makes good evidence, most people can’t do it because the relationship between
evidence and causes is often murky.
A dictionary definition of evidence will state it as data that supports a conclusion. We
conclude something exists either by directly sensing it with one of our five senses or by
inference through causal relationships. We also use intuition and feeling as the basis of
conclusions, which are more subtle forms of inference. Evidence is presented to us at several
levels.
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Sensed Evidence
Sensed Evidence is the highest quality of evidence and consists of knowing from sight,
sound, smell, touch and taste. If something was observed, we know through our eyes; if we
smelled smoke, then we know through our nose. Sensed evidence is the best.
Inferred Evidence
Inferred evidence is known by repeatable causal relationships. Evidence that someone is
happy can be known by a smile on his or her face. That is, we infer happiness by knowing
the following repeatable causal relationship: Smile caused by Facial Muscles Moving caused
by Happiness.
Sensed Evidence Versus Inferred Evidence
The best evidence is direct observation using one or more of our senses. For example, I know
fire because I see flames, feel heat, and hear crackling. Inferred evidence is less desirable but
may be all we have. Using this same example, we may know fire by seeing smoke, smelling
smoke, and tasting smoke, but this is an inferred causal relationship that assumes fire causes
smoke.
Causes and evidence are often interchangeable because of the way we use inferred evidence.
I may legitimately state that smoke is evidence of fire. But it is also correct to say smoke is
caused by fire, and the evidence of the fire is my observation of smoke. If I can’t see the
flames of the fire, using smoke, as inferred evidence may be acceptable, but it is a lower
quality of evidence. The perceived smoke may actually be mist or fog and there is no fire.
Because inferred causal relationships are not always well understood, they are not necessarily
as reliable as sensed evidence. For example, if I believe that wind is caused by clouds, as I
did as a child, then it is logically inferred that big clouds are evidence of high winds. If this
causal relationship helps me understand my world and is repeatable within that world, then I
will continue to infer that big clouds are evidence of high winds, even though it is
scientifically false. We can only know what we know, so evidence should always be
carefully scrutinized.
If inferred evidence is all we have, we should use it. Sometimes the only way to know
something is by inference. For example, we cannot directly sense the pressure in a tank
because we don’t have built-in pressure sensors. We may sense pressure if we let it out and it
impinges on our skin; but while it is in the tank, we can only know the pressure indirectly
through inferred causal relationships. Reading a pressure gauge may be evidence of high
pressure. We know the mechanics and the physics that cause the pressure gauge to work, so
the pressure is known through a repeatable causal relationship of the instrument. The
pressure indicator reading is caused by a moving mechanism, which is caused by the bellows
expanding, which is caused by high pressure. Because this causal path is known and
repeatable, we do not need to write it out. “Pressure Indicator Reading” is adequate evidence
of high pressure if everyone who reads the cause chart knows this relationship is valid and
repeatable. If it is not understood by everyone or is not repeatable, the cause path should be
explored to verify that the causes exist with sensed evidence.
Because inferred evidence relies on the assumption that the reader knows the causal
relationship, it should be readily verifiable. If it is not, the causal relationship should be
included in the RealityChart.
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Intuition
Intuition is inferred evidence based on both reason and emotions; but because it occurs at a
subconscious level, we are not capable of explaining where it comes from. Consequently,
using intuition as evidence presents a risk.
Emotional Evidence
Emotional evidence is inferred evidence that does not use the five senses in the knowing
process. Anatomically, emotions and feelings exist in the limbic system within the old
reptilian portion of the brain, while the senses are located in the cortex along with reasoning.
As such, emotions and reasoning are not well connected biologically. Emotions are very real
and they should not be ignored as evidence of a cause, but they should be held suspect
because they are not always reliable.
Quality of Evidence
Once we leave sensed and inferred evidence, we enter the realm of risk very quickly. While
most people seem to intuitively understand what constitutes evidence and what does not, it is
not universally known. Sometimes certain words get in our way. The most misused word I’ve
encountered is “fact.” For most people a fact is something that is absolutely known to exist
in their world and yours. The problem with this notion is that it ignores the variability of
perception. What may be a “fact” to you may inspire a great debate in your neighbor. To
avoid this issue, I suggest you never use this word or redefine it to include evidence.
Fact: A cause supported by evidence.
Facts have no value unless used in the realm of causal relationships. It is a fact that the sign is
red because we can see it, but this statement has absolutely no value whatsoever until such
time as it is placed into a causal relationship. The red sign caused me to stop or “Stopped
Moving caused by Red Sign.” Therefore, meaningful facts are always evidence-based
causes.
Sometimes we find contradictory causes and evidence. Contradictory causes should be
documented on the RealityChart and evidence sought to explain the contradiction or establish
one cause as more likely than the other by virtue of preponderance (such as weight, quantity,
or importance). The Apollo RealityChart works well to accommodate contradictions because
it lays out all perspectives. Every stakeholder can see the relationships between other causes
and supporting evidence. If one cause has a preponderance of evidence and a competing
cause has poor evidence, the chart allows both to be represented with little or no debate. If a
solution is attached to a cause chain with poorly evidenced causes, then it clearly shows the
risk being taken. If the solution is attached to a cause chain with well-evidenced causes, the
effectiveness will be assured.
Often, the problem with evidence is not being able to find it. If you cannot find evidence or
cannot find a cause, use a question mark. These question marks denote that an unknown
exists and hence represents a risk if a solution is attached to this cause or it’s cause chain.
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Identifying Cause Type

RealityCharting requires that you identify each cause as either an action or a condition. The
cause type is delineated in the bar above each cause box by selecting Choose.
To identify the cause box type:
1. Click on the white triangle button in the top bar of the cause box.
2. Click on Action or Condition.
Ending a Cause Chain

RealityCharting requires that every cause chain end with a purposeful STOP, a GO TO, or
have a question mark denoting that you have reached your point of ignorance. To accomplish
this, simply select the node menu at the end of every cause chain and select STOP, GO TO,
or “?” The STOP feature will provide several valid reasons for stopping or allow you to enter
your own reason for stopping.
To end a cause chain:
1. Select the node menu at the end of a cause chain.
2. Select STOP, GO TO, or ? – More Information Needed
3. If you select STOP, select as many of the following reasons as are applicable:
g. Desired Condition – Select this if the cause path took you to a desired
condition, such as production limit reached or required quality.
h. Lack of Control – Select this if the next cause is outside your control and you
have no way of influencing it. Do not confuse this with the next reason for
stopping.
i. New Primary Effect – Select this if the last cause is the beginning of another
problem. This may be caused by your lack of knowledge or lack of control.
j. Other Cause Paths More Productive – Select this if it is clear this cause path
provides no value. This is usually a cause like Sky is Blue.
k. Other – Select this cause if you want to customize your reason for stopping.
l. Need More Information – Select this item if you want to add it to the action
item list for further investigation.
4. If you select GO TO identify the other cause or causes in your chart.
5. If you select ? – More Information Needed a “?” will be placed at the end of the cause
chain.
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Finishing a Chart With a Rules Check

To ensure that you have created the RealityChart in accordance with the Apollo Problem
Solving Method, you must run a rules test.
To finish a chart:
1. Select Rules>Implement Rules or open the Node menu by clicking any node and
select Run Rules Test.
2. Select Implement.
3. Correct any discrepancies.
4. Run the rules test again if necessary.
Rules Check Options

When the Rules Check screen appears you will be given the opportunity to turn off any of the
rule checks, but to do so would jeopardize the quality of your report. If you have any
questions about what the various checks do, select the info button for details.
When you choose Implement, the following tests will be performed:
Remove Unconnected Cause check: The remove unconnected cause check
identifies any causes that are not connected and gives you the opportunity to connect,
delete or move them into the holding area.
Empty Box check: The empty box check examines all cause boxes to identify any
empty boxes. If any are found you will be given the opportunity to delete it or not.
Action Condition check: RealityCharting will scan all causes and determine if you
have labeled them action or condition. If not, it will give you the opportunity to do so.
After all causes have been labeled, RealityCharting will check to see if you have at
least one action cause and one condition cause for each effect. If you have not met
this requirement, you will be given the opportunity to do so, or proceed without a
branched causal set. If you choose to proceed, a note will be placed in the Notes
section stating that: “Some causes may have been purposefully left off the chart.”
Conjunction check: The conjunction check will scan all the causes to identify
common conjunctions in the middle of other words. If conjunctions are used it usually
indicates story telling, which is not allowed in a cause box. The conjunction will be
identified and you will be given the opportunity to correct this error. If you choose to
override this error, a note will be placed in the Notes area that says: Some cause
phrases contain conjunctions and may not be clear, please feel free to question them.
Evidence check: The evidence check will verify that you have entered evidence or a
question mark in the evidence box. If you have not, RealityCharting will provide an
opportunity to add evidence or override this requirement. If you choose override, a
question mark will be placed in the evidence box and an action item will be generated
to obtain the necessary evidence.
Point of Ignorance check: The point of ignorance check tests to see if you have
placed a STOP, a GO TO, or a “?” at the end of each cause chain. If any
inconsistencies are found, you will be given the opportunity to address them.
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Chapter Five
Solution Generation
Creating Solutions
There are several ways to enter solutions into RealityCharting. The fastest and most common
method is to review a printed version of your RealityChart to determine which causes you
want to attach solutions to. Using the Solution Tool, represented as a light bulb in the top
menu bar, select the cause you want to add a solution to and RealityCharting will open the
Solutions Generation window listing that cause.
To use the Solution Tool:
1. Select the Solution Tool in the top Menu bar. (A light bulb icon appears.)
2. Move the light bulb icon to your first cause and click on it.
3. In the Solutions Generation window, add your solutions and Save.
4. Close the Solution Generation window.
5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for all remaining causes you want to attach solutions to.
RealityCharting also provides a systematic method of looking at each cause on the chart and
provides the opportunity to add solutions as you wish. To activate this process, use one of the
following:
Select menu item Tools>Solution Generation
Select Identify Solutions in the Node menu after each cause
To Create Solutions:
1. Select one of the three options listed above to start the process.
2. Evaluate the cause being presented to determine if you can change, modify or
otherwise remove it from the cause chain.
3. Enter your possible solution in the edit window provided.
4. Select the enter key or click on Save.
a. If you click on save and then want to add another solution, click on Add
Solution to get back to the edit window.
5. Enter another possible solution if you have one and select enter again.
6. If you have no proposed solutions for this cause, select Next Cause at the bottom of
the Solutions Generation window.
7. Continue to enter solutions by repeating the above steps.
8. When you reach the last cause on the chart and select Next Cause one more time,
RealityCharting will remove the Solution Generation window and present the
Possible Solutions List.
9. If you want to view the Possible Solutions List at any time, select Show List at the
bottom of the Solutions Generation window.
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10. If you want to go back to the previous cause, select Previous cause at the bottom of
the Solution Generation window.
Upon selecting any of the options above, RealityCharting will provide a window to allow
you to add up to 5 solutions for the cause it has highlighted. In general it starts in the upper
left of the cause chart, depending on which method you chose to start the process and
presents each cause in your RealityChart. If the chart is large it may be helpful to print and
use it as a reference as you enter your possible solutions.
You can get to the list of solutions either by selecting the SHOW LIST button in the Solution
Generation window, or by selecting the menu item Tools>Possible Solutions List.
Testing Solutions
Effective solutions can be assured if they meet the Apollo Solution Criteria.
An effective solution must:
Prevent recurrence
Be within your control
Meet your goals and objectives
Not cause other significant problems
Checking the Criteria

To check a possible solution against the criteria:
1. With the Possible Solutions List showing, select the Check button to the left of the
solution you want to check.
2. In the Check Criteria window, answer the criteria questions by clicking Yes or No
3. After answering all questions, select Submit.
4. If you know the solution passes all criteria, you can just hit the Enter key and the
criteria will pass.
You may answer the questions one at a time by clicking your answer with the mouse button,
or if you already know the solution passes all the criteria, simply hit the enter key for a
default selection and “Passed” will appear where “Check” used to be. You will notice that the
answers that result in the criteria passing are highlighted. If you choose No for question 2
you are further asked if you could gain support from those who have control. If you answer
yes, this question has passed the criteria. If you answer No, it will fail. After checking all the
criteria, select the submit button.
You can re-check the criteria at any time by selecting the “Failed” or “Passed” text in the
criteria column of the Possible Solutions List.
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Implementing Solutions
Any solutions that have passed the criteria check can be selected for implementation.
To accept a solution for implementation:
1. In the Possible Solutions List window, click on the box to the right of the solution in
the Implement column. Only solutions that have passed the criteria check can be
implemented. Checking the Implement box will automatically place this solution and
its corresponding cause into the incident report.
2. After you have checked all proposed solutions against the solution criteria and
identified at least one to implement, select Done at the bottom of the Possible
Solutions window.
How the Software Works

The solution generation function will provide the ability to list possible solution for every
cause on the chart. You do not have to provide a solution for every cause, but the capability
is provided. As each cause is listed, enter one or more possible solutions. You may enter up
to 5 possible solutions. Solutions should act to remove, change, or otherwise control a cause
such that the primary effect does not recur. To move from cause to cause, select Next Cause.
You should continue to select Next Cause until you have looked at all causes on the chart.
When you are finished looking at all causes, RealityCharting will automatically go to the
Possible Solutions List where you should check your possible solutions against the solution
criteria. You may go to the Possible solutions list at any time by selecting Show List.
Solution criteria is checked by clicking the “check” button in the Criteria Check column
opposite each possible solution. After you have identified which solutions pass the criteria,
you should check which ones you want to implement. Do this by selecting the box in the
Implement column that is opposite the solution. After you have finished checking solutions
against the solution criteria choose Done.
Editing Solutions: Solutions can be edited from the Possible Solutions List by selecting the
solutions text. The edit window will appear and allow changes. Select the Enter key or Save
when finished with your edit. The solutions edit window will also be activated if you select
the solutions text in the Report window.

The purpose of problem solving is to find effective solutions, not the root cause.
RealityCharting will guide you through an effective process of brainstorming solutions
followed by a selection process that ensures you find the best solutions to implement. Every
solution must prevent recurrence, be within your control and meet your goals and objectives,
to include not causing other problems. Once you have decided to stop adding causes to your
chart challenge each cause. Ask, “why is this cause here, or how can I remove it or prevent it
from acting?”
As you challenge each cause, provide solutions. Do not be concerned about strict compliance
with the solution criteria at this time. This is similar to brainstorming in the sense that you
should allow unbiased free thought. There is structure however because you are focused on
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controlling or removing an evidence-based cause. Get others involved in the creative

solutions process, if possible. This will help build ownership in the final solutions.
As you gain experience with the Apollo process, you will find the solution criteria are part of
your thinking during the problem analysis. While it should not restrict your thinking, it acts
as a guide to keep you focused on a solution that prevents recurrence, is within your control,
and meets your goals. Do not waste time with causes that do not offer good solutions. If no
one can think of a solution, move on. Normally, this should not take more than twenty
minutes. If you have time, it is a good idea to let the solutions “cook” for some time. Talk
with people outside the group about the proposed solutions or go to the place where the
solution will be implemented and try to visualize implementation. This often identifies other
problems. After identifying solutions, check each one against the solution criteria and decide
on the best ones. They must meet the criteria, which include not causing other problems and
providing good value for your investment.
You may find one solution that will prevent the problem from happening “most of the time.”
As you affect more causes and add more solutions, you are reducing the probability of a
repeat event, but there comes a point of diminishing returns. Only you can decide where that
is, based on your goals and objectives.
Some solutions may not prevent the stated problem from recurring but will help create a
better environment for success and therefore may warrant implementation.
Be very careful not to stop with your favorite solution or a group consensus that
compromises the effectiveness of the best solution.
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Chapter Six
Creating Reports And Printing
Preparing the Incident Report

RealityCharting provides three ways to begin preparing the incident report.
Select Prepare Report in the Possible Solutions window
Select Wizard Step 4, OR
Select menu item Jewels> Prepare>View Report
To prepare the Incident Report:

1. Upon selecting one of the above options, an Incident Report will be placed on the
screen.
2. Fill in the empty fields on the Incident Report.
a. Date Investigation Started
b. Report Number
c. Cause and Effect Summary Statement
d. Name of the person responsible for implementing the solution.
e. Due Date
f. Investigation Team Members
3. Edit any text and verify the chart is correct.
4. Select Finalize Report at the bottom of the report window.
The Problem Definition, Notes, and References will automatically be entered and are editable
from their respective windows. The Solutions that you identified as being implemented will
automatically be placed on the report along with the corresponding cause.
To edit the Incident Report:

All fields can be edited except the What and the Causes fields. The Report Date is
automatically entered based on the current date.
1. Select the text window to edit.
2. Highlight the text of any field and edit.
3. Text is automatically saved when you close the window.
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Finalizing the Incident Report

RealityCharting provides three ways to finalize the incident report.
Select menu item Jewels>Finalize Report
Select Finalize Report at the bottom of the Incident Report window
Upon selecting one of these items, RealityCharting will begin performing a final check of the
report and the chart to verify that all the fields in the report have been filled out, AND
automatically run the rules test again. If at any time a discrepancy is discovered,
RealityCharting will provide an opportunity to correct it. When everything has been
successfully completed, Wizard Step 5 will indicate “Report Finalized.”
Printing, Exporting, and Creating PDF’s

Printing
Selecting File>Print opens a Print Options window, which allows you to select from a list
included as follows. Links for printing the Optimize and Causal Elements view are also
provided. You may select more than one option at a time for printing.
Full Chart View
Outline View
Report
Action Items List
These views and reports can also be printed by selecting the Print button at the bottom of
each respective window.
Exporting
Selecting File>Export opens an Export Options window which allows you to select from the
following list. More than one option at a time can be selected. Links for exporting the
Optimize and Causal Elements view are also provided. The chosen items are placed on the
clipboard, ready for pasting into other applications and may need to be reformatted in your
new document.
Outline View
Report
Action Items List
These views and reports can also be exported by selecting the Export button at the bottom of
each respective window (with the exception of the Full Chart view).
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Creating PDF’s
Selecting File>Create PDF opens a Create PDF Options window which allows you to select
from the following list. More than one option at a time can be selected. Links for creating
pdf’s of the Optimize and Causal Elements views are also provided. Adobe Acrobat® can be
used to print a pdf file.
Full Chart View
Outline View
Report
Action Items List
These views and reports can also be created in pdf by selecting the Create PDF button at the
bottom of each respective window (with the exception of the Full Chart view).
Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF for Page Layout

To print, export, or create a pdf of the chart’s Page Layout options select View>Page
Layout>Optimized or View>Page Layout>Causal Elements. You will be afforded several
options for printing pages or ranges of pages after selecting either Print, Export, or Create
PDF from the bottom of the view window.
The Page Layout views provide several options for viewing, exporting, creating pdf’s, and
printing the chart. A long list of common page sizes is available or a customized page size
can be selected to configure the chart to accommodate your printer or text application. Chart
page numbers are added to the upper right corner of each view, similarly like a road atlas, to
reference each new page. The Optimize and Causal Elements views are presented as a
separate window from the workspace. Changes made to the workspace while the Optimize
View is open can be included by selecting the Refresh button in the top bar of this window.
Page navigation is easily accomplished in these views by selecting the red dot, which opens
the continuation page, or the red circle, which takes you back to the origination page. A
“Back” button is also provided at the bottom of the window.
communication tool.
outline view or the normal view will place it center left in the Causal Elements view
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Resizing a RealityChart for Printing

If you have the need to resize a chart onto a single sheet, beyond the automatic sizing of the
Optimize View, use the following procedure to resize any RealityChart.
To fit a chart on a single page:
1. Select Page Layout>Optimize View.
2. Select Page Size.
3. Enter the dimensions that will likely contain the chart in a single page (max 99x99) or
choose from a long list of standard page sizes.
4. Select Resize Page.
5. The page will be resized. Repeat as necessary until you have the chart scaled on one
page the way you want it. Zooming out to 25% helps you see the whole page size.
6. Select Export.
7. Paste the chart into your chosen application. The chart will be imported to fit the
currently open page size and can then be manipulated as needed.
Printing to a Printer Plotter

To print to a Printer Plotter:
1. Select File>Print.
2. Select Full Chart View* in the Print Options window.
3. Select the Print button.
4. Select your printer plotter in your print setup window.
5. Select OK or Print in your print setup window.
* Selecting this option and printing to a conventional sized printer will print multiple sheets
needing to be cut and taped together to form a single full chart view. This is an unnecessary
exercise when considering the convenience of the Optimize View and resizing capabilities.
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Chapter Seven
Features And Tools
Chart Navigation
Chart and Page navigation features make it easy to move around a large RealityChart.
Chart Navigation
Using the Grab Hand Icon
1. Place the cursor in an open area on the workspace and hold down the mouse button.
2. With the Grab hand icon, move the chart to the desired location.
3. Repeat as necessary.
Using the Outline View

1. Select View>Outline from the menu.
2. Select any cause in the Outline view by clicking on it.
3. View the selected cause at center left on the workspace.
Using the Find Feature

1. Select Jewels>Find from the menu or press Ctrl + F.
2. Enter the cause, word, or phrase you are looking for in the “Find What” box and
select Submit.
3. Select the cause you are looking for from the results list and it will be displayed
center left on the workspace.
Using the Cause Text

1. Wherever you find a cause listed in a report or list and it is underlined, selecting it
will cause it to be displayed center left on the workspace.
2. This hypertext can be found in the Incident Report, Action Item List and Possible
Solutions List.
Using the Holding Area (Use when moving causes across a large chart)
1. Select a cause or set of causes and move them into the Holding Area.
2. Using the grab hand or other navigation feature, move the chart to the location where
you want to re-attach the cause or causes (The Holding Area will maintain
configuration if you request).
3. Move the cause(s) out of the Holding Area and attach to a node.
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Page Navigation
1. Select either of the Optimize or Causal Elements views from the View>Page Layout
menu. If the chart has more than one page, a red dot and page number will reference
the continuation pages.
2. Select a red dot, which opens the continuation page
3. To navigate back toward the Primary Effect, select the red circle on the continuation
page, which takes you back to the origination page. A “Back” button is also provided
at the bottom of the window.
Spelling Check
RealityCharting does not currently have a spell check feature, but there is an easy
workaround for Causes and Reports until it is added.
Spelling Check for Causes
1. Select View>Outline.
2. Select Export.
3. Open a word processing application.
4. Paste the Outline view into the word processing application.
5. Perform a spelling check.
6. When an error is found, correct it on your chart in RealityCharting.
Spelling Check for Reports and Lists

1. Open the report or list you want to spell check.
2. Select the Export button at the bottom of the window.
3. Open a word processing application.
4. Paste the report or list into the word processing application.
5. Perform a spelling check.
6. When an error is found, correct it on your report or list in RealityCharting.
Menu Items
File Menu
The File menu contains many conventional file functions such as New, Open, Save, and
several specifically included for use in this application. A description highlighting the
functions of the menu items follows.
New: This function provides a new document with a clean workspace and empty Problem
Definition window.
Import: This function allows you to import all the causes from another RealityChart into the
RealityChart you are working on. This allows different people to create RealityCharts based
on their area of expertise and then you can combine the various causal relationships into one
RealityChart. Selecting Import will open your file directory. Select the .rca file you want to
import and select Open.
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Open: This function uses the directory navigator window to locate previously saved
RealityCharting files.
Open Recent: Selecting this item provides a list of the five most recent files you have
worked with. To open one of these files, simply select it.
Close: This function closes the document you are working on. The user will always be asked
to save the document before closing the file.
Save: This function saves the working document to the existing location.
Save As: This function brings up the navigation window and allows the user to change the
name and save to a specific location. The default document title will be the What in the
Problem Definition.
Print: This function opens a Print Options window, which allows you to select from a list
including Full Chart View, Outline View, Incident Report, Action Item List, and Possible
Solutions List. Links for printing the Optimize and Causal Elements view are also provided.
You may select more than one option at a time for printing.
Create PDF: This function creates a Portable Document File, commonly known as a pdf, for
easy sharing of information. You can create pdf’s for the Full Chart View, Outline View,
Incident Report, Action Item List, Possible Solutions List, and the Optimized and Causal
Elements views.
Export: Selecting this item brings up an Export Options window which allows you to select
from Outline View, Incident Report, Action Item List, & Possible Solutions List. Links for
exporting the Optimize and Causal Elements view are also provided. You may select more
than one option at a time. Selected items will be placed on the clipboard, ready for pasting
into other applications.
Exit: Selecting this menu item will shutdown RealityCharting. You will be asked if you
would like to save the file before exiting followed by whether you are sure you want to exit
RealityCharting.
Edit Menu:
The edit menu provides various editing functions such as the standard Cut, Paste and Copy.
These functions are also accessible by right clicking the mouse inside any text field.
Undo/Redo: Selecting Undo or Ctrl-Z will remove each previously added cause box. This
feature also allows you to undo: typing of text in any text field, changes in drop down lists,
cause box node treatment, steps in the criteria check and the solution implement tag. Redo or
Ctrl-Y returns to the previous undo action.
Copy: This function works on any text that has been created by the user. Highlight the
desired text and then select this function to copy to the clipboard.
Cut: This function works by highlighting text and selecting this function. It will remove the
highlighted item and place it on the clipboard.
Paste: This function copies anything on the clipboard to the location of the cursor.
Delete: When highlighting text, selecting this function will delete it.
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View Menu
The view menu provides different ways to represent the RealityChart and access to various
windows.
Page Layout: The Page Layout views provide several options for viewing, exporting,
creating pdf’s, and printing the chart. A long list of common page sizes is available or a
customized page size can be selected to configure the chart to accommodate your printer or
text application. Chart page numbers are added to the upper right corner of each view,
similarly like a road atlas, to reference each new page. The Optimize and Causal Elements
views are presented as a separate window from the workspace. Changes made to the
workspace while the Optimize View is open can be included by selecting the Refresh button
in the top bar of this window. Page navigation is easily accomplished in these views by
selecting the red dot, which opens the continuation page, or the red circle, which takes you
back to the origination page. A “Back” button is also provided at the bottom of the window.
communication tool.
outline view or the normal view will place it center left in the Causal Elements view.
Outline View: This feature represents the RealityChart in an outline format using sequential
numbers separated by decimal points. The outline view is presented as a separate window
from the workspace. This view is automatically placed to the right side of the screen for use
as a chart navigation tool. Selecting any cause in the outline will place it center left on the
workspace. The outline view identifies root causes with an “R” placed to the left of the
particular cause. Similarly any causes with an associated rule violation have a “?” inserted
next to it.
Root Cause: This feature allows for the identification of the selected Root Cause(s) on the
chart. Selecting this menu item will place the words Root Cause in the cause box header for
each cause that is identified as “Implement” in the Possible Solution List window. The
default setting is for this feature to be activated. Un-checking this item will deactivate the
logic and remove the words “Root Cause” from all causes that have been selected for
implementation.
Primary Effect: Selecting this menu item will reposition the primary effect to the left center
of the workspace. This feature is helpful when needing to quickly return to the Primary
Effect from a remote location on the chart.
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Wizard: The wizard is a stepwise tool that provides a simple way for the inexperienced user
to progress through RealityCharting in a structured manner. Each step requires certain logic
be completed before it will allow the user to progress. The logic is as follows:
Step 1: Completion of this step requires that you enter text in What, When, Where, and
Significance in the Problem Definition area.
Step 2: Completion of this step requires that you create a chart and run the rules test.
Step 3: Completion of this step requires that you identify a solution for implementation on
the Possible Solutions List and select Done.
Step 4: Completion of this step requires that you fill in all the fields of the Incident Report.
Step 5: Completion of this step requires the chart to pass the rules check and all fields in the
incident report be complete.
Notes: Selecting this function will open the Notes window at the top of the workspace.
Selecting the tab labeled Notes can also perform this function. Reality Charting automatically
generates some notes if certain rules are not followed. For example, every new chart begins
with the following note: “This chart is a draft and has not been fully checked for compliance
to the rules.” This note will not be removed until the Finalize Report function is completed.
The user may add notes at any time. Notes should be used to explain details that cannot be
adequately stated on the RealityChart or the report. Notes can be edited by clicking on the
number.
To add a Note:
1. Select the window tab titled Notes (In the Problem Definition window).
2. Select Add Note.
3. Type in your note and select the Enter key or select Add Note again.
4. To edit a note, simply select it and the edit window will open. Select enter when
done.
References: Selecting this function will open the References window at the top of the
workspace. Selecting the tab labeled References can also perform this function. References
can be added at any time and differ from notes in that they are reserved for listing other
documents that support the problem analysis. If there is not enough room in the evidence
section, a reference is automatically generated to allow additional text. References can be
edited by clicking on the number.
To add a Reference:
1. Select the window tab titled Reference (In the Problem Definition window).
2. Select Add Reference.
3. Type in your Reference text and select the Enter key or select Add.
4. To edit a Reference, simply select it and the edit window will open. Select enter when
done.
Problem Definition: Selecting this function will open the Problem Definition window at the
top of the workspace. Selecting the tab labeled Problem Definition can also perform this
function.
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Holding Area: This item is activated by placing a checkmark next to it. Checking this item
will maximize the holding area on the workspace. It will default as being checked and the
holding area present. Un-checking this item will minimize the holding area as the default
mode. Maximizing and minimizing the hold area can also be accomplished by clicking on the
tab at the top of the Holding Area or selecting the max/min buttons.
Zoom: Provides the ability to magnify the workspace so fine details can be more easily seen
or provides the ability to reduce the workspace so more causes can be seen at the same time
and thus get a better relational perspective of the problem.
Rules Menu
This menu provides activation of the Apollo Problem Solving rules.
Implement Rules: Selecting this item will place the Rules Check window on the workspace.
The Rules Check runs six different tests to ensure the user has followed the basic tenants of
creating an Apollo RealityChart. The six rules are as follows:
Remove Unconnected Causes Check: This test checks the workspace for any
unconnected causes and upon finding any asks the user to place them in the holding
area. If the cause is not needed, it must be deleted or placed in the trash.
Empty Box Check: The Empty Box check will scan the chart to see if you left any
empty cause boxes on the workspace and ask you to remove them.
Action-Condition Check: This check will determine if every cause on the chart has
been identified as either an action cause or a conditional cause. If a cause has not
been classified as an action or condition, the user is given the opportunity to do so.
The test then continues to verify if each effect has at least one condition and one
action cause. If not, the user is given the opportunity to insert another cause or
proceed. See “Action and Condition Causes” for more detail.
Conjunction Check: This check will determine if you used any conjunctions in the
cause statement. If you did, it will identify which ones you used and give you the
opportunity to revise the cause statement to a noun-verb statement. See Noun-Verb
Statements and Conjunctions for more details.
Evidence Check: This check will verify if you used evidence to support the causes.
If not, RealityCharting will provide the opportunity to correct this deficiency. See
Evidence for more details.
Point of Ignorance Check: The Point of Ignorance check will scan the causes and
identify any unfinished cause paths by checking for nodes that are not connected to
another cause or do not have a question mark or STOP at the end. This test will give
you the opportunity to add a STOP or a question mark to any unfinished cause paths.
See Point of Ignorance for more details. There are no other options and you cannot
continue until this is done.
61
Rules Check Bypass Switch: This function is provided in the middle bottom of the Rules
Check window. Because the Apollo process first requires a complete chart before you start
working on solutions Wizard Step 3: Identify solutions requires all rules be met. Sometimes
this presents an inconvenience for documenting solutions that come up during the analysis,
so we have provided a temporary bypass of Wizard Step 2 for advanced users. Selecting this
button will temporarily bypass Wizard Step 2 and the rules check. The rules check will be
run again during step 5 to ensure a complete chart. There is no bypass at this level.
Noun-Verb Rule Check: This feature can be toggled On/Off by selecting and unselecting it.
When turned on, text entered in a cause box is checked for number of characters and spaces.
To help prevent storytelling a warning is given when you reach 26 characters and again when
you reach 42 characters.
Advanced Rules: This function provides two options: Space Time Logic Check and Causal
Logic Check.
Space Time Logic Check: Selecting this function will examine each set of causes in a causal
element to determine if they exist at the same place and same time.
Causal Logic Check: Selecting this function will examine each cause and ask the user to
verify that the cause is required for it’s stated effect.
Tools Menu
The Tools menu provides access to several tools as listed below.
Evidence: This menu item gives the user two options for evidence: Basic Mode or Advanced
Mode.
Basic Mode: The basic mode is the default mode and allows the user to enter any text
into the evidence section below each cause.
Advance Mode: The advanced mode provides a dropdown menu of evidence types
to choose from in addition to being able to enter text.
Solution Generation: Selecting this item will activate the solution generation logic. See
Solution Generation for details.
Possible Solutions List: Selecting this item will display the Possible Solutions List. The
Possible Solutions List provides for checking the proposed solutions against the Apollo
Solution Criteria.
Empty Holding Area: When selected, this function will remove any items that you have
placed in the Holding Area. Once removed, they cannot be retrieved.
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Jewels Menu
The Jewels menu provides access to unique and valuable tools not found elsewhere. This is
the jewel box of RealityCharting.
Find: Selecting this function provides a way to search all cause boxes for a word, phrase or
causal elements.
Using the Find Feature:
1. Select Jewels>Find or Ctrl+F.
2. Enter the cause you are looking for in the “Find” box and select Submit.
3. Select the cause you are looking for and it will be displayed center left on the
workspace.
Using the Advanced Search Feature:
1. To find causal elements select the Advanced Search button at the bottom of the Find
window.
2. Enter effect and up to two associated causes.
3. Select the Submit button
4. Select the causes in the found window and RealityCharting will navigate to them.
With this feature, you can get away from vague categorical failure-mode analysis and
analyze past events for more precise common causal relationships. For example, search
for Seal Failure caused by Lack of Lubrication AND Grundig Seal instead of all seal
failure events.
Action Item List: Selecting this function will create a list of action items from each question
mark on the RealityChart. The list identifies which causes are still unknown and which
evidence is lacking. The list also allows the user to assign responsibility to each action item
and print or export the list. This list serves as an interim step in the process of creating a
complete RealityChart. You can add your own items to the Action Item List and use it for
tracking.
Prepare/View Report: Selecting this feature will present the Incident Report that includes
the problem definition and the solutions you have chosen to be implemented. The user needs
to complete the report by filling in the blanks. This includes a Cause and Effect Summary
Statement (which is a summary of essential causes), the name of those responsible for
implementing the corrective actions, due date and Team Members. After completing these
entries, the user should select Finalize Report at the bottom of the report form.
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Finalize Report: When Finalize Report is selected, RealityCharting will initiate a check to
verify the following:
Report Number entered
Date Investigation Started entered
Problem Definition complete
Cause and Effect Summary written
Solutions identified
Root Causes correctly identified
Responsibility for solution implementation identified
Due Date for solutions identified
RealityChart completed
Verify charting rules have been followed
After all these checks have passed the test, the note placed in the Notes section stating this is
a draft report will be deleted.
Help Menu
This menu item provides access to six help items: RealityCharting Help, Tutorial, Fast Start
Movie, Check For Updates, Read Me, and About RealityCharting.
RealityCharting Help: Selecting this function provides a list of help topics in alphabetical
order as well as a word search capability. Enter the word you are looking for and select Start
Search. After finding the first occurrence of your word, select Find Next and RealityCharting
will find the next occurrence.
Tutorial: Selecting this item initiates a tutorial that walks the user through a complete use of
the software at a basic level.
Fast Start Movie: Fast Start Movie is a short presentation of the Problem Definition and
charting features. It is designed to be a quick reminder for those users who have not used the
software in awhile and need a quick refresher. It can also be used as a fast start introduction
for those who do not want to take the time to view the tutorial or read this guide.
Check for Updates: We have made it very easy for you to have the latest version of
RealityCharting. Select Check for Updates in the Help Menu, enter your registration
information, and the latest version will be downloaded to your computer. It is fast and easy.
If you do not have Internet access, you can receive a CD-ROM of the latest version by
calling 866-933-6722.
Read Me: The Read Me First file that contains the latest release information is provided by
selecting this menu item.
About RealityCharting: Selecting this item provides details about the software to include
registration numbers, version number and product support information.
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Tools
Six tools and a trash bin are provided to facilitate the use of RealityCharting. With the
exception of the line tool all other tools may also be accessed from various menus.
Primary Effect Tool
When selected, the Primary Effect tool, shown as PE in the toolbox, will position the Primary
Effect center left on the workspace.
Cause Box Tool

The Cause Box tool is used to place causes on the chart at any location. Select the cause box
tool and click on the workspace - a cause will be entered in that space. If near a node, it will
snap to the node. Once used, the icon will default to the standard pointer tool.
Rules Tool
The rules tool, which is denoted by a check in the toolbox, is used to activate the Rules
Check at any time. To use the rules tool, select the tool and click on the workspace – the
rules check menu will appear. Once used, the icon will default to the standard pointer tool.
Solution Generation Tool

The Solution Generation Tool is denoted by a light bulb in the toolbox. Selecting this tool
and clicking on a specific cause will activate the Solution Generation window allowing you
to enter solutions for the selected cause. Once used, the icon will default to the standard
pointer tool.
Undo/Redo Tool
The Undo and Redo tools are denoted by U-shaped arrows in the toolbox. Selecting Undo
will remove each previously added cause box. This feature also allows you to undo: typing of
text in any text field, changes in drop down lists, cause box node treatment, steps in the
criteria check and the solution implement tag. Redo returns to the previous undo action.
Trash
Cause boxes can be dragged into the trash where they will be removed completely. There is
no way to recover items placed in the trash. If you want to store causes for a time before you
delete them, place them in the holding area.
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Buttons
There are many buttons located on the various windows. This section provides a description
of the function these buttons perform.
Refresh Buttons: Refresh buttons are found on many windows that might change as a result
of editing or adding text in the workspace or elsewhere. Selecting the Refresh button will
update the open window to reflect all changes.
Create PDF: Create PDF buttons can be found at the bottom of most open sub-windows
within RealityCharting. Selecting this button will open the Create PDF window.
Print: Print buttons can be found at the bottom of most open sub-windows within
RealityCharting. Selecting this button will open the Print window.
Export: Export buttons can be found at the bottom of most open sub-windows within
RealityCharting. Selecting this button will open the Export window.
Collect Causes: The Collect Causes button is located in the Holding Area and when selected
it will collect all unattached causes on the workspace and place them in the holding area.
Page Size: Found at the bottom of the Optimized View and Causal Elements View windows,
this button opens a Resize Page window that allows you to change the page size and
orientation on which these views are presented. This subsequently changes the page size of
the print size also.
Implement: Found on the bottom of the Rules Check Window, this button starts the rules
check.
Bypass: Found on the bottom of the Rules Check Window, this button opens a warning
window containing another button titled Temporarily Bypass Rules Check, which when
selected completes the logic for Wizard Step 2 and allows access to the solution generation
features without completing the rules check.
Previous Cause: Found in the Solutions Generation window, this button allows you to go
back one cause to easily see what solutions where used on the previous cause. This button
works in conjunction with the Next Cause button on this window.
Next Cause: Found in the Solutions Generation window, this button allows you to go to the
next cause on the chart moving from top right down each column and then to the left. This
button works in conjunction with the Previous Cause button on this window.
Show List: Found in the Solutions Generation window, this button opens the Possible
Solutions List.
Prepare Report: Found at the bottom of the Possible Solutions List window, this button
opens the Incident Report window, which is the next step after completing actions in this
window.
Finalize Report: Found at the bottom of the Incident Report window, this button activates
Wizard Step 5, the finalization process.
Advanced Search: Found at the bottom of the Find window, this button opens a new part of
the window that provides a search for Causal Elements, which allows you to look for
common causal relationships in different events. Instead of doing a common failure mode
66
analysis based on categorical causes like Seal Failure, you can analyze past events for
common causal relationships. For example, search for Seal Failure caused by Lack of
Lubrication AND Grundig Seal.
Add Action Item: Found in the Action Item window, this button opens a text window to
allow you to add a customized item to the action item list. You can add as many of these as
you want. To delete these action items, select the delete button just below the text in the
Action Item window.
Start Search: Found in the RealityCharting Help window, this button starts the search for
text in the Help file. Once started, this button is replaced with a Find Next button.
Troubleshooting
Lost Chart – If you cannot find the chart on the open workspace, try selecting
View>Primary Effect.
Lost the Problem Definition Window – If you cannot find the Problem Definition Window
on the open workspace, try selecting View>Problem Definition.
Lost the Wizard – If you cannot find the Wizard Window on the open workspace, try
selecting View>Wizard.
Difficulty finding a specific cause – Try selecting Jewels>Find and enter your cause or
select View>Causal Elements and then View>Outline. Find the cause you want to focus on
in the Outline view and select it. It will be displayed center left in the Causal Elements view
and on the workspace.
Printing Problems – Make sure you have an encapsulated post script (eps) printer and the
latest version of the printer driver.
Registration Problems – RealityCharting must be registered within 30 days of initial use. If
you did not do this and the software won’t work, please call 866-933-6722.
Garbage can ate my cause box – Yep, it is suppose to do that. If you want to remove a
cause box from the workspace and think you might want to use it later, put it in the holding
area.
I can’t put all the words I want into a cause box – The purpose of RealityCharting is to
ensure you find effective solutions every time. An essential element of the Apollo process is
that all causes must be a noun-verb statement. If you cannot reduce your cause down to a
noun-verb statement you probably have more than one idea being expressed – look closely at
your statement and separate the thoughts. If your words are simply too large for the cause
box, use abbreviations, add a note, or add a reference. See Notes and References
67
Glossary:
actions: Momentary causes that bring conditions together to cause an effect, sometimes
called action causes.
appreciative understanding: Prerequisite mindset for effective problem solving that is

characterized by suspending judgment and maintaining a positive attitude. It occurs by
accepting all incoming information at face value and allowing the Apollo process to
determine value.
baby-step causes: Causes between the causes that represent a finer look at causal
relationships. All causal relationships have causes between the causes, but we are typically
too ignorant to see them.
brainstorming: A method of shared problem-solving in which all members of a group

spontaneously contribute ideas.
categorical thinking: The natural process of the mind that orders all knowledge into
specifically defined classes. It can present a significant barrier to effective problem solving.
cause and effect principle: The principle simply stating that everything has a cause. The
terms cause and effect cannot be separately defined because they are the same thing viewed
from a different perspective in time.
common reality: A combined reality created from the individual realities of several people
and documented by an Apollo RealityChart. If an individual’s reality does not fit into the
common reality, it is likely because the person cannot provide causal evidence or they are
seeing a different problem.
common sense: The common feeling of humanity. Common sense is an illusion that causes
ineffective problem solving.
conditions: Causes that exist over time before an action brings them together to cause an
effect, sometimes called conditional causes.
effective problem solving: Identifying causal relationships and controlling one or more of
the causes to affect the problem in a way that meets our goals and objectives. A key goal of
solving event-based problems is to prevent recurrence.
effective solution: A solution that prevents problem recurrence.
elemental causal set: The fundamental causal element of all that happens. It is made up of an
effect and its immediate causes and represents a single causal relationship. The causes consist
of an action and one or more conditions. Causal sets, like causes, cannot exist alone. They are
part of a continuum of causes with no beginning or end.
event: An interaction of causes at a particular place and time. The smallest event is an
elemental causal set. The largest event has an infinite number of causes.
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event-based problems: Problems that center around people, objects, and rules that occur in
time and space. These types of problems are distinguished from rule-based problems by
having more than one possible solution.
evidence: Data used to conclude something. Evidence comes in different quality levels:
sensed by the five senses, inferred, intuited, or emotionally sensed.
fact: A cause supported by evidence. Facts outside of a causal relationship have no value.
For example, the fact that the shoe is brown has no value to problem solving.
favorite solution mindset: Our natural tendency to seek a familiar solution to problems based
on some categorical assessment. This strategy is ineffective most of the time.
groovenation: The process of justifying our beliefs. It is physiological in origin and is found
in our search to validate our existing realities.
groupthink: The condition of relinquishing our individuality for the perceived common good
of a group.
node: The node is the small black square box at the end of a line following each cause box.
It is the connection point for causes and when selected (clicked on) a drop down menu is
provided that will allow the user to perform all standard charting functions.
point of ignorance: The point where we can honestly admit we don’t know when repeatedly
asking “why.” Only one in twenty people are capable of reaching this point.
primary effect: Any effect of consequence that we want to prevent from occurring.
problem solving: Overcoming a difficulty by implementing a solution.
prototypical truths: Conclusions about the world we live in that are subject to change given
enough evidence to support a new conclusion. All our truths are prototypical; some are just
more ensconced than others.
root cause: Any cause in the cause continuum that is acted upon by a solution such that the
problem does not recur. It is not the root cause we seek, it is effective solutions.
rule-based problems: Problems that do not require people, objects, or time and space and
always have a predefined right answer.
single reality: Sometimes called the truth. Most humans believe there is a single reality that
everyone can see, but what we fail to understand is that no two humans perceive the world
the same. It is physiologically impossible for any two people to possess the same view of the
world. With this dilemma, the best we can hope for is a common reality.
sister causes: Causes in a chain to the right of the selected cause.
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solution: An action taken upon a cause to affect a desired condition.
solution killers: Very judgmental statements used to kill a solution idea, for example, “We
already tried that once.” Used by fearful people to resist change of any kind.
Square One Loop: Following each cause path in an Apollo RealityChart until the collective
point of ignorance is reached, and then starting over again with the primary effect (square
one) and repeating the process. Each time through the “loop” we look for baby steps, cause
branches, and evidence.
stakeholder: A term taken from Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s Principle-Centered Leadership,

which describes all people who have a stake in the success or failure of an enterprise or
group.
storytelling: Communication describing an event by relating people, places, and things in a

linear time frame from past to present.
strategy: An ordering process used by the mind to organize knowledge to solve problems.
system: A causal set that includes one or more feedback loops.
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12-Oct-04 RealityCharting User’s Guide Rev.

User’s Guide for

Ending a Cause Chain .…………….………………….……………………….. 22

Space Restrictions …………….…………………….………………………….. 42

Rules Tool …………….…………..…………….………………………………….. 65

About This Guide

Learning To Use RealityCharting

Contacting Apollonian Publications, LLC

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Apollonian Publications, LLC ("Apollonian") as the Licensor

5. LIMITED WARRANTY. Apollonian warrants the media on which the Software is

6. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY WARRANTED

7. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. Apollonian’s entire liability and your sole remedy

8. GOVERNING LAW; ATTORNEYS FEES. This Agreement shall be governed by the

9. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. The Software and Documentation are

Notes & References

To be most effective at using RealityCharting it is highly recommended that you receive

To define the problem in RealityCharting:

Brainstorming and Synergizing

To synergize or brainstorm the problem in RealityCharting:

Cause and Effect Charting

To disconnect a cause in the middle of a cause chain:

Cause Box Restrictions

Creating Feedback Loops

Identifying Cause Type

Ending a Cause Chain

Finishing a Chart With a Rules Check

Rules Check Options

Checking the Criteria

Preparing the Incident Report

To prepare the Incident Report:

To edit the Incident Report:

Finalizing the Incident Report

Printing, Exporting, and Creating PDF’s

Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF for Page Layout

Resizing a RealityChart for Printing

Printing to a Printer Plotter

How the Software Works

Editing the Problem Definition Window

Completing the Problem Definition

Primary Effect Box

How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works

? – More Information Needed

Run Rules Test

How the Software Checks Your Work

How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works

To disconnect a cause in the middle of a cause chain:

Cause Box Restrictions

Creating Feedback Loops

Dealing With a Lack of Evidence

Identifying Cause Type

Ending a Cause Chain

Finishing a Chart With a Rules Check

Rules Check Options

Checking the Criteria

How the Software Works

How the Apollo Problem-Solving Process Works

controlling or removing an evidence-based cause. Get others involved in the creative

Preparing the Incident Report

To prepare the Incident Report:

To edit the Incident Report:

Finalizing the Incident Report

Printing, Exporting, and Creating PDF’s

Printing/Exporting/Creating PDF for Page Layout

Resizing a RealityChart for Printing