FALL 2026 COHORT — NOW ENROLLING
The Certification Program That Changes How Your Team Investigates
Eight modules of live virtual instruction grounded in Human and Organizational Performance principles. Built for investigators, QA professionals, and operations leaders who are done closing investigations at human error.
Why Do the Same Problems Keep Coming Back?
Most investigations in regulated environments follow a predictable pattern: an event occurs, a team performs a 5-Why or Fishbone analysis, and the root cause is identified as "human error." The corrective action? Retraining or a procedure update.
Yet, months later, the same error happens again.
This happens because traditional root cause analysis is designed to find a single point of failure, not to understand the complex systems and human factors that lead to events. When we stop at human error, we stop learning.
The Investigator Foundations Certificate (IFC) provides the mental models and causal analysis tools needed to move past blame and build systems that are resilient to human fallibility.
40+ Investigators Certified
44% Reduction in Deviation Rate
<1%
Investigations Closing at Human Error
<30 days Average Deviation Record Closure
Results from a global pharmaceutical manufacturer following IFC program implementation.
Not Just Another Root Cause Analysis Course
Grounded in HOP
We don't teach you how to fill out a form. We teach you how to think. By applying Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles, we shift focus from 'who failed' to 'what failed' within the system.
Live and Applied
This isn't a pre-recorded webinar series. Every module is a live, interactive session where you bring your real-world investigation challenges to the table for coaching and feedback.
Certification That Means Something
The IFC isn't awarded for attendance. Participants must demonstrate mastery through a final investigation project, ensuring they are ready to lead high-impact learning efforts immediately.
01
Human Performance & Systems Thinking
Understand how systems and culture drive behavior, moving beyond blame to identify organizational error traps.
05
Problem Definition & Is/Is Not Analysis
Stop chasing symptoms. Use structured tools to define investigation scope and set clear boundaries from day one.
What You'll Learn
Eight modules covering every stage of a learning-focused investigation.
02
Thinking Differently About Investigations
Shift the mental model from finding 'who did it' to uncovering 'what failed' through the lens of HOP principles.
06
Bias & Decision Quality
Identify and mitigate common hindrances like outcome and hindsight bias that distort findings and lead to poor CAPA.
03
Event & Causal Factor (E&CF) Analysis
Master visual mapping techniques to build clarity around complex events and identify true causal relationships.
07
Facilitation of Effective Investigations
Practical skills for leading learning teams, conducting non-judgmental interviews, and gathering operational reality.
04
Operational Learning & Psychological Safety
Learn how to foster an environment where employees feel safe sharing high-fidelity information about work as it happens.
08
Reporting & Communicating Outcomes
Translate complex systemic findings into compelling reports that drive high-leverage corrective actions and leadership buy-in.
How the Program Works
01
02
ENROLLMENT & ONBOARDING
03
04
05
06
FOUNDATION BUILDING
LIVE LEARNING INTENSIVES
FIELD APPLICATION PROJECT
CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
Secure your seat and complete the pre-program assessment to baseline your current investigation process.
Access the OLI learning portal and complete Module 01: Core Principles of HOP and Systems Thinking.
Eight weeks of live, virtual instruction with Jim Ball, including real-world case studies and peer application exercises.
Apply the OLI framework to an active investigation at your facility, supported by open coaching office hours.
Demonstrate mastery of the 8 core modules through a comprehensive final assessment and project review.
Receive your IFC Investigator Certification and digital credentials, and join the OLI Certified Community.
This Program Is For You If:
✓
You lead or conduct investigations in Quality, EHS, or Operations.
You are frustrated by corrective actions that only address the person and not the system.
✓
You want to move beyond root cause analysis into operational learning.
✓
You are ready to apply Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) to your daily work.
✓
Industries We Serve:
Pharmaceutical & Biotech
Medical Device
Chemical Manufacturing
Food & Beverage
Industrial Manufacturing
"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, IFC Participant
More participant stories coming soon.
Common Questions
Is this program only for pharmaceutical companies?
While much of our work is in pharma and biotech, the principles of IFC apply to any high-consequence, regulated manufacturing environment where human error is a common investigation outcome.
What is the total time commitment?
The program consists of eight 120-minute live sessions over 2 months, plus approximately 1-2 hours of applied fieldwork between sessions.
Do we receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon successful completion of all modules and the final applied project, participants receive a digital Investigator Foundations Certificate from OLI.
Can this be delivered on-site for our team?
Absolutely. We offer private cohorts for organizations looking to certify 10 or more investigators at once. Contact us for custom pricing and scheduling.
What if I miss a live session?
All sessions are recorded and available for 30 days. However, to receive certification, live attendance is required for at least 7 of the 8 modules.