Definition
The location where the cause of the problem was directly observed in the problem resolution process survey.
In detail
The Point of Cause (POC) is the location where the cause of a problem is directly observed during problem solving, and it is one link in the continuum of the causal chain. Unlike the Point of Occurrence (where the problem actually occurred) and the Point of Recognition (where the problem was first noticed), the POC is the starting point for digging into root causes and usually requires observation at the Gemba. It helps the team focus on the true cause and avoid solving the problem at the wrong level. It typically outputs a specific location as the starting point for 5 Why analysis. The POC belongs to the causal chain continuum framework of PSP; the layer-by-layer Pareto framework of PD/RCCM instead uses the "Point of Impact" (POI) as its starting point, and the two frameworks must not be mixed.
Example in practice
A factory discovered scratches on products. The identification point was quality inspection, and the occurrence point was the assembly station. Through on-site observation, the cause point was found to be improper tool placement at the station. The team implemented mistake-proofing at the POC, and the scratch problem was resolved.