Advancing Human Performance, Learning, and Improvement
The Operational Learning Institute develops investigation capability in GMP, QA, and EHS professionals — through evidence-based programs grounded in Human and Organizational Performance.
Why this Program?
Traditional root cause analysis — 5-Why, Fishbone, single root cause thinking — consistently fails to identify the real causes of deviations and safety events. The result: ineffective CAPAs, repeat deviations, and mounting regulatory risk.
OLI's Investigator Foundations Certificate Program shifts the mental model from blame and human error to systems thinking, causal analysis, and operational learning.
The result: investigations that find real causes and produce corrective actions that actually work.
The 3-Layer Model
Investigations must go beyond behaviors to address system and workplace factors.
37%
Overall deviation reduction
44%
Manufacturing deviation reduction
<1%
Human error designation
$1.5M+
Estimated Annual Savings
Proven Results
Results achieved by a global pharma manufacturer following program completion.
The Investigator Foundations Certificate Program
8 modules · Live virtual · 16 weeks · Certification included
1. Human Performance & Systems Thinking
2. Thinking Differently About Investigations
3. Event & Causal Factor (E&CF) Analysis
4. Operational Learning & Psychological Safety
5. Problem Definition & Is/Is Not Analysis
6. Bias & Decision Quality in Investigations
7. Facilitation of Effective Investigations
8. Reporting & Communicating Investigation Outcomes
01
Kickoff
Introductions, expectations, first case study
02
Live Sessions
8 modules, real cases, applied tools
Your Certification Journey
03
Applied Work
Apply tools to real events between sessions
04
Peer Learning
Review, feedback, and coaching
05
Assessment
Demonstrate competence and complete exam
06
Community
Ongoing peer community post-certification
Who Should Attend?
If your work involves investigating deviations, incidents, or safety events, this program is for you.
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GMP Investigators and Quality Assurance professionals
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EHS and Safety professionals
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Operations, Engineering, and MSAT leaders​
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QC and Regulatory Affairs professionals
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Team leaders and managers responsible for deviation and safety investigations
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Anyone who leads or participates in investigation teams
"I just want to say you guys are changing the way I view investigations for quality and safety completely… Great work!"
— Technical Leader and Six Sigma Black Belt Current IFCT Participant
Advanced Investigator Certification
Deeper practitioner development through coaching, peer review, and a portfolio-based designation.
HOP Consulting
Advisory support for organizations building Human and Organizational Performance capability.
Learning Teams Facilitation
Structured facilitation of learning team events to surface operational insights after events.
Operational Learning Consulting
Advisory support to help organizations apply operational learning principles and build sustainable HOP capability.
Beyond the IFCT
OLI offers a growing suite of programs and services for organizations serious about operational learning.
Get Started
Contact us to discuss open enrollment cohorts, dedicated company programs, or OLI consulting services.
Jim Ball | Founder, Operational Learning Institute
(603) 812-7526