Which of the following terms describes a systematic approach to investigating and analyzing problems?

The term that best describes a systematic approach to investigating and analyzing problems is root cause analysis. This method focuses on identifying the fundamental reasons or causes that lead to issues or defects within a process, product, or system. By understanding these root causes, organizations can implement effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence, thereby improving overall quality and operational efficiency.

Root cause analysis involves various techniques and tools, such as the "5 Whys," fishbone diagrams, and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), all aimed at digging deeper into the problem rather than merely addressing its symptoms. This comprehensive approach allows teams to gather data, conduct thorough investigations, and establish links between causes and effects, leading to a more durable solution.

Quality assurance generally refers to the processes and procedures in place to ensure that products and services meet defined quality standards, rather than focusing specifically on investigating problems. Benchmarking involves comparing one's performance metrics to those of industry leaders or best practices to identify potential areas for improvement, and statistical process control is mainly concerned with monitoring and controlling processes through statistical methods rather than direct problem investigation. These distinctions clarify why root cause analysis is the most accurate term for this inquiry process.