CAPM Practice: Demonstrate an understanding of common problem-solving tools and techniques

In root cause analysis, contributing causes are factors that played a role in the problem but may not individually be the fundamental root cause. The true root cause may be further upstream (e.g., an organizational culture of not challenging unrealistic schedules). Multiple contributing causes working together often point to a deeper systemic root cause.

**Why not A:** Secondary risks arise from implementing risk responses, not from root cause analysis findings. These contributing causes are factors that caused the existing problem, not new risks created by a response action.

**Why not B:** Inadequate testing time and unclear test specifications are actual contributing factors, not merely symptoms. They are real causal elements, though they may not individually represent the deepest root cause. Further analysis may reveal a deeper systemic issue.

**Why not D:** Stating both are independent root causes implies either one alone would have caused the problem. Contributing causes work together to create conditions for failure, and the true root cause may be further upstream, such as organizational culture that allows unrealistic schedules.