Please join us on Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 5:45pm Pacific time, for a HYBRID presentation on Root Cause Analysis (RCA). This presentation will be given in person at the Filippi’s Restaurant in Kearny Mesa (San Diego) by Mr. Randy Willard of the WAU.
VITAL INFORMATION
Location: Filippi’s Restaurant, 5353 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123 (Google Maps)
Cost: Free! There is an optional Italian food buffet (pizza, pasta, salads, soft drinks, etc.) offered at $5 for INCOSE members and students, $15 non-members. (RSVP)
Webcast: This presentation will be webcast to remote audiences using Zoom:
https://incose-org.zoom.us/j/86923051714?pwd=6GnkqUymyLgDFU1N3WX0lhpXLGyXbH.1
Join and take notes
https://incose-org.zoom.us/j/86923051714?pwd=6GnkqUymyLgDFU1N3WX0lhpXLGyXbH.1&mynotes=on
Meeting ID: 869 2305 1714
Passcode: 269943
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+16694449171,,86923051714# US
SYNOPSIS
Professor Randolph Willard from the San Diego campus of the Warfighting Acquisition University (formerly Defense Acquisition University) will present on Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis. This session includes background/history, traditional problem solving, problem identification and problem statements, problem definition, problem solving tools including brainstorming, Cause & Effect diagram, multi-voting, five whys, and force field diagram, and root cause analysis.
PRESENTER: Randolph Willard
Mr. Randolph Willard is a retired U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer with more than two decades of active duty experience operating, testing, and evaluating both Fast Attack and Strategic Ballistic Missile submarines. His Navy service included roles as Chief Nuclear Engineer, Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Nuclear Prototype Unit in Idaho Falls, and program management positions at NAVSEA and PEO Submarines, where he earned DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management. Following his military career, he has spent over twenty-five years in executive and leadership roles in the defense industry and as a Professor of Program Management at the Defense Acquisition University in San Diego. He has supported a wide range of defense organizations, laboratories, and major contractors, including NAVSEA, PEOs, DOE national laboratories, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Johns Hopkins APL, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Viasat, and the U.S. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
Mr. Willard holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Vanderbilt University, completed Navy nuclear engineering training, and pursued postgraduate studies at MIT, Yale School of Management, the Defense Systems Management College, and the Defense Nuclear Weapons School. He has taught acquisition, nuclear weapons acquisition, systems engineering, and test and evaluation courses to military, government, and industry professionals nationwide. He is currently available for consulting and speaking engagements on defense and energy acquisition, program management, business development, and foreign military sales, and can be reached at dodacq@gmail.com.