Corrective action procedures must include an analysis of what caused the nonconformities. This element is crucial because identifying the root cause of the issue is the first step in preventing recurrence. Once the cause is understood, appropriate actions can be taken to eliminate the issue and improve the process. While it is also beneficial to understand who was involved and to analyze trends, the primary focus should be on what caused the problem to ensure effective corrective actions.
References:
* "ISO 9001:2015, Quality management systems - Requirements"
* "The Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Effective Incident Investigation" by ABS Consulting