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Software Features

RealityCharting® is a superb communication tool allowing users to gather data and synergize with others. A host of software features described below contribute to the problem solving process and are graphically displayed in the Problem Solving with RealityCharting® diagram.

Problem Definition

Edit Preferences
The problem definition sub-sections are easily customized to match your preferences and company standards.

Analysis

Automatic Starting Point
A starting point to begin your charting analysis is automatically included on the workspace with the Primary Effect identified from the What in your problem definition.

Node Menu
The Node Menu allows you to quickly build a chart with a variety of useful selections, perform a rules check, and immediately identify solutions.

Simple Branched Charting
The cause and effect chart automatically formats itself in a best fit to provide you with easy to follow branched causal connections.

Drag-and-Drop
The drag and drop feature allows you critical freedom to arrange and rearrange the chart to fit an evolving understanding of causal connections.

Feedback Loops – GO TO
Connections between causes anywhere on the chart are easily created with the GO TO feature. It provides simple navigation between causes elimintating the need to repeat cause boxes which in turn provides a more concise chart.

Endless Workspace
An endless workspace allows you to create as large a cause and effect chart as necessary.

Chart Navigation
"Grabbing and dragging" the mouse focus moves the chart through the visible workspace .
And anywhere a cause is listed with an underline such as in the Incident Report, Action Item List, or Possible Solutions List you can click it to navigate to that cause box on the workspace.

OR Logic
OR logic within causal elements is readily defined in the Node Options menu.

Holding Area
A holding area for unused cause boxes and causal paths is readily accessible from the workspace and can be used to store charting thoughts and ideas.

Notes & References
RealityCharting® provides a location to elaborate any causes or evidence or by providing Notes and References sections. References easily relate additional information needed to support the analysis. They can be added manually and are automatically created when evidence text becomes lengthy. Notes are an ideal way to include relevant information not captured elsewhere. They can be added manually and may be automatically created to document certain known conditions such as identifying the report as a draft if not all the wizard steps have been completed.

Evidence
RealityCharting® provides a simple way to display your evidence for each cause by providing entry spaces connected below each cause. You can include multiple evidence statements for each cause box and add Notes and References if more information is needed.

Analysis Guidance

Wizard
A Wizard is available to guide you through each step of the Apollo problem solving process and to completion of a Realitychart.

Rules Check
The Rules Check ensures analysis are done in accordance with the Apollo method.
Your charts will include causes described in noun-verb statements, evidence attached to every cause, each effect with an action and conditional cause, and every cause chain ends with deliberate reason. This detailed check is like having a certified Apollo instructor over your shoulder.

Advanced Rules - Space-Time & Causal Logic Check
RealityCharting® includes an advanced user feature that helps ensure the validity of your Realitychart by asking simple logic questions of each cause and causal element.

Advanced Evidence
The Advanced Evidence feature provides automatic selection of evidence types. This feature allows you to quickly document the type and thus quality of evidence. When additional evidence is required or further record is needed the included Reference feature ties this information directly to the cause, allowing the user to recall it quickly and in detail.

Action Item List
Action items are automatically created to address unknowns identified in the charting analysis or manually entered to direct work assignment.
The Action Item list can be printed, exported, or converted to a PDF for use with other office applications or to prepare further reports and presentations.

Find Causal Elements
You can search for common causal relationships in different events with the Causal Element search. Instead of doing a common failure mode analysis based on categorical causes like Seal Failure, you can analyze past events for common causal relationships. For example, search for Seal Failure caused by Lack of Lubrication AND Brand X Seal.

Sharing Information

Email Files
The RealityCharting® files are small and easily emailed to anyone for review and input. It is common practice to have different team members investigate different causal elements and then have a lead investigator combine them into a master chart.

PDF Creation
The Incident Report, Outline View, Action Item List, Possible Solutions List, Full Chart View, and the Optimize View and Causal Elements View page layout selections can all be easily converted to PDF.

Export
The Incident Report, Outline View, Action Item List, Possible Solutions List, and the Optimize View and Causal Elements View page layout selections can all be easily exported in JPEG.
This allows you to use applications such as Excel®, Word®, or PowerPoint® to complete individual process requirements or prepare further reports and presentations.

Import
You can import Realitycharts to consolidate multiple analysis and capitalize on efforts of people with different areas of expertise.

RealityCharting® Reader
RealityCharting® Reader is a free piece of software that can be used by anyone to view the Realitycharts created by RealityCharting® software. The reader provides full printing and export functionality.

Printing
The Full Chart View, Outline View, Incident Report, Action Item List, Possible Solutions List, and Page Layout Views can be printed in multiple formats including international and plotter sizing .

Page Layout – Optimized & Causal Elements Chart Views
The Page Layout views can be printed, exported, or converted to a PDF from their individual windows.

Optimized View
RealityCharting® optimizes the chart to fit on whatever page size you select with its Optimized Page Layout view. When the chart reaches the page boundary, a page reference is created which directs the reader to the page where the chart continues.

Causal Elements View
RealityCharting® allows a way to place specific focus on causal elements with its Causal Elements Page Layout view.

Solutions

Solution Generation
The Solution Generation process challenges each cause and guides you through the entire chart while doing it.

Possible Solutions List & Criteria Check
Possible solutions must be checked against established acceptance criteria before one can be chosen for implementation.

Reporting

Standard Reporting Format
The Incident Report is based on industry standards and its use provides consistency across an organization.

Automatic Report Generation
The Incident Report automatically captures useful information defined in your analysis including detailed problem definition, identified solutions with the causes they address, and any notes or references.

Bonus

Help Menu
The Help Menu provides detailed instruction on how to use RealityCharting®.

Simple Installation
RealityCharting® installation is extremely simple and quick.

Enterprise Compatibility
RealityCharting® Enterprise and individual license versions are mutually compatible with interchangeable files.

Tutorial
A tutorial is always available to review the operation of RealityCharting®.

Check for Updates
You can check for RealityCharting® updates with just a click of the mouse.