Recent statements from the DOJ and other enforcement authorities make clear that an internal investigation must do more than determine what happened – it must also uncover why something went wrong. The process of getting to why is commonly called a “root cause analysis” and performing one has become a necessity for companies that find themselves in hot water. In this quick start guide, we outline why a root cause analysis is necessary, how to perform one and how companies can use more advanced approaches to glean greater insights from the process. For a more detailed discussion of root cause analysis, see our three-part series: “DOJ Expectations and Getting to Why” (Jun. 23, 2021); “Gathering Information” (Aug. 4, 2021); and “Touching Bottom and Advanced Maneuvers” (Aug. 18, 2021).