Big news for the incident investigation and process safety community: the 4th Edition of the Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Efficient and Effective Incident Investigation is coming June 1, 2026, and pre-orders are open now.
This is the most comprehensive RCA resource available, with 750+ pages including a 300+-page downloadable toolkit, a 22″ x 34″ color-coded Root Cause Map, and licensed access to ABS Consulting’s online resources. It’s built on the SOURCE(tm) methodology, developed by an international team with 150+ years of combined experience across oil and gas, chemical processing, utilities, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and much more.
WHAT’S NEW IN THE NEW 2026 4TH EDITION
The 2026 edition of the Root Cause Analysis Handbook incorporates many updates and new features. ABS Consulting’s SOURCE™ incident investigation methodology continues to evolve based on our experience using the technique, observation of customers using the tools we provide, plus feedback from our clients. The changes incorporated into this edition make the use of the SOURCE™ methodology even more efficient and effective:
- Three new sections
- A new section (11) for legal professionals who are involved in investigations.
- A new section (12) for supervisors and reviewers of investigations.
- A new section (13) for preparing personnel to become members of your investigation teams.
- Addition of real-world stories demonstrating the application of the SOURCE™ Methodology
- These real-world stories are based on decades of applying the methodology to problems and issues like yours.
- Addition of summary inserts into all major sections
- Each section is summarized to help you quickly find the content you need.
- Callouts to referenced materials in the SOURCEtm Investigator’s Toolkit and the RCA Handbook Resources website.
- These link the content of the Handbook to the implementation forms and checklists available as part of the SOURCEtm Investigator’s Toolkit and the online RCA Handbook resources.
- More details and examples
- More detailed explanations of the steps in the SOURCEtm investigation process and more examples to demonstrate the application of the techniques.
- Improved templates and online resources
- Easier-to-use templates for development of timelines, cause and effect trees, and root cause identification.
- Multiple formats – print and ebook
- Colored diagrams and flowcharts in the e-book version
What hasn’t changed?
- The high-quality guidance you have come to expect from ABS Consulting.
- Access to our RCA Handbook Resources with extensive templates, forms, and checklists.
- Integration with the Root Cause Mapm and the Root Cause Mapm online guidance
- Simple and practical tools to analyze simple to complex issues.
If you work in risk management, process safety, reliability, EHS, or quality, this belongs in your professional library!
Click HERE to Pre-order now!
Contact [email protected] for quantity ordering.
