Cohort Dates
Check the cohort dates on the schedule at the header of this page
Duration
40 hours
Delivery
100% online with 25 hours of self-paced learning & 15 hours of instructor-led case studies
Additional delivery methods
Tuition
$2297
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OVERVIEW
Build critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills with a BlueDragon Practitioner Certification.
Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills and gain valuable experience with Rapid Investigations, Comprehensive Investigations, and Proactive Program Reviews.
Accurately identify what’s causing your problems
Spend more time and resources on the mission
Prevent problems from recurring



100% Online
This online course involves three weeks of self-paced online learning followed by a virtual case study.
Beginner-friendly
No experience with root cause analysis? No problem. We’ll equip you with the the tools you need to become a certified IPS Analyst.
High ROI
For only $2297, you'll gain problem solving and critical thinking skills that will boost your career and save you time and money.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the most modern methodology for solving workplace problems.
This intense, hybrid online workshop will introduce you the two of the most critical life skills you can learn in the age of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (1) – Critical Thinking and Complex Problem Solving.
Mainstream education has failed to adequately provide these critical life skills in primary and secondary schools and higher learning institutions. As a result, studies show that half of all millenials get an “F” in critical thinking (2). The course will break down critical thinking into its basic components that can be learned, practiced and mastered.
This course will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the graded approach to solving complex, human-centric problems using the most modern and innovative approach available in regulated industries: the BlueDragon Integrated Problem-solving (IPS) Methodology.
With BlueDragon, investigators, root cause subject matter experts and Six Sigma Master Black Belts can take their complex problem-solving skills to the next level.
Personnel new to root cause analysis can develop a comprehensive understanding of the graded approach to solving complex, human-centric problems using IPS.
This course will prepare you for certification as a BlueDragon Certified Analyst Level 2 and 3, helping you to become much more valuable to your organization.
(1) World Economic Forum, 2016 Future of Jobs Report)
(2) Williams, T. (2020). “Study: Nearly Half of Millennials Get an ‘F’ In Critical Thinking.”



You'll build practical and essential skills such as:
- Critical Thinking
- Systems Thinking
- Cause & Effect Analysis
- BlueDragon Framework
- BlueDragon Rapid Investigations
- BlueDragon Comprehensive Investigations
- BlueDragon Proactive Program Reviews
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This certification is relevant across all industries.
- Lean Six Sigma practitioners, Green Belts, Yellow Belts
- Federal, state and local auditors and investigators
- Inspector General investigators in all branches
- Project and program managers in all industries
- Methodologists helping others applying HCA in all industries
- Accident/Event Investigators in all industries
- Industrial Safety Managers in all industries
- Construction Safety and Management
- Performance Improvement Department personnel
- Contractor Assurance personnel
- Corrective Action Program Managers
- Occurrence Reporting personnel
- Safeguards & Security personnel
- Quality & Oversight Dept. personnel
- Environmental Health & Safety personnel
- Facility/Operations Managers
- Management of all levels
- Engineers in all industries
- Scientists in all industries
- Operators in all industries
- Regulators from all industries
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspectors
- Institute of Nuclear Power Operators
- (INPO) Inspectors
- World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Inspectors
- National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Inspectors
Ready to start your journey to Become a Dragon?
Check the cohort dates on the schedule below. Reserve your spot now!
BD2 BLUEDRAGON PRACTITIONER
Course Outline




Weeks 1 - 3
Lessons 1-12: Self-paced Learning
Complete Lessons 1 to 12 on your own (approximately 15 hours)




END OF WEEK 3
Live Case Study - Session 1
Live Session #1, a 4 to 5-hour instructor-led case study using a virtual white board.
All case studies start at 12pm EST unless otherwise noted.
See cohort schedule for dates.




Weeks 4 - 5
Lessons 13-21: Self-paced Learning
Complete Lessons 13-21 on your own (approximately 8 hours)




Week 6
Live Case Study - Sessions 2 & 3
Live Sessions #2 and #3, which are 5-hour instructor-led case studies using a virtual white board usually on a Tuesday and Thursday.
All case studies start at 12pm EST unless otherwise noted.
See cohort schedule for dates.



OBJECTIVES
Terminal Objective
After completion of the BlueDragon Practitioner certification course, students will have developed an understanding of the fundamentals of critical thinking and complex problem solving, they will have developed an understanding of the BlueDragon Integrated Problem-solving (IPS) methodology, and they will be able to participate in IPS Rapid Investigations, IPS Comprehensive Investigations and IPS Proactive Program Reviews.
CURRICULUM
Enabling Objectives
Given a course of instruction, prospective BlueDragon Practitioners will be able to understand:
-
EO-01
Laws and regulations that require root cause analysis.
-
EO-02
Why industries are having so many recurring problems costing trillions of dollars per year.
-
EO-03
Basic terms and definitions used in the problem-solving process.
-
EO-04
The fundamentals of Critical Thinking.
-
EO-05
The fundamentals of Cause & Effect Analysis.
-
EO-06
The fundamentals of the BlueDragon Integrated Problem-solving (IPS) Methodology.
-
EO-07
How the BlueDragon Framework provides a true graded approach to causal analysis.
-
EO-08
How to set up BlueDragon teams, problem statements and extent of condition reviews.
-
EO-09
Phase 1: Developing focused, evidence-based lines of inquiry questions.
-
EO-10
Phase 2: Using Socratic follow-up questions during cause and effect analysis.
-
EO-11
Phase 2: Scheduling and facilitating causal analysis sessions.
-
EO-12
Avoiding cognitive bias.
-
EO-13
Defining "Work Culture."
-
EO-14
Evaluating at-risk behaviors and error-likely situations.
-
EO-15
Phase 2: the “Anatomy of Root Causes” and how to validate them.
-
EO-16
“Extent of the Cause” reviews.
-
EO-17
Phase 3: Developing effective corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
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EO-18
Phase 3: Communicating results and writing the final report using the IPS chart.
-
EO-19
BlueDragon Risk Assessments.
-
EO-20
Examples of BlueDragon investigations.
-
EO-21
The proper use of the DOE Cause Tree (for DOE clients).
TESTIMONIALS
What Clients Say
Rob has done for cause analysis what Motorla did for Six Sigma, clearly and concisely bundled proven RCA tools into an effective method encompassing critical thinking, visual information, and succinct communication of a problem and its deepest seated causes.
Mark AndersonSandia National Laboratory
The biggest difference is it gives us a really systematic approach to conduct the causal analysis. A lot of people say, "Where do I start?" By going out and building the barriers and building the lines of inquiry from there, it made it easier for the team to stay on point and build a comprehensive causal analysis.
Donna MailhotDeputy Director of Management Assurance System Office, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
“The strengths of the BD201E workshop were that the instructor was top-notch, the sharing of stories and experiences, and the teaming. The Breakout sessions were a great experience and challenged us to perform. Breakout sessions also helped to network with other causal analysts. My overall impression of BD HCA is that it was awesome! It was a great use of 4 days of training, and I would highly recommend this course and methodology/flow.”
Mike KlineSandia National Laboratory
“Brought the critical thinking and causal analysis methods, logic and approach up to date since we have used older tools for so long and were getting limited results. Very excited to begin applying this method and replacing the older Think Reliability one. Mr. De La Espriella is a great teacher, and I hope to continue learning and growing this method as time goes on. Everyone at my work site should take this class, including our federal oversight. I loved the class and will recommend it to all the causal analysts at Sandia National Lab."
Jocelyn De LucheSandia National Laboratory
“The BlueDragon Root Cause Analysis process has positive momentum with “pull” from all levels of management. The use of causal analysis and increase in corrective action plan quality are beginning to show positive results in the consistency and discipline in the CA approach.”
Tim WorrellContractor Assurance Manager at SRNS
"The BlueDragon Root Cause Analysis course is very well structured and professionally laid out much like an MBA course. First, the concepts are presented and then fun and entertaining team exercises drive home the concepts by challenging the participants with interesting real-world case studies.”
Jay GingrichMBA, PMP
"A great course! Should be folded into the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy and commercial industries. The BlueDragon approach was fantastic! BlueDragon techniques are a great way to efficiently improve operations and safety. They will help you complete your mission and lower costs."
Martin McBrideRetired, Oak Ridge National Lab
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Rob De La Espriella, BD3
Rob is one of the leading experts in causal analysis, with over 30 years of experience in leading and facilitating root cause analyses, event investigations and assessments at commercial nuclear power plants, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the DOE, the US Department of Defense (DOD), and Engineering firms.



Rob became a root cause subject matter expert and practitioner in 1989, as a member of the Florida Power & Light team that won the Deming Prize1, the first company in the world outside Japan to win the award. He has completed formal training in problem-solving methods including Kepner Tregoe, Management Oversight Risk Tree (MORT), TapRoot, Dr. Corcoran’s Phoenix Method, Human Performance Evaluation System (HPES), Total Quality Management (TQM), Lean/Six Sigma, and he is a certified Kaizen Team Leader.
Since 1990, Rob has led of facilitated hundreds of root cause evaluations, audits, assessments and complex problem solving efforts. In 1995, Rob received several awards from the NRC for leading root causes and bringing Total Quality Management Concepts to NRC Region I. In 2003 and 2005, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) listed Rob’s Nuclear Assurance organization as one of the strongest in the US, and Rob attributes that recognition, in large part, to teaching root cause and problem-solving skills to his staff and promoting a problem-solving culture. The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) also sought Rob’s expertise for improvement projects in South Africa and Slovenia.
In 2010, Rob began teaching his modern causal analysis approach at DOE sites. He later gave his method the trademark name of BlueDragon Hyper-Integrated Causal Analysis (HCA). Rob has used HCA to solve some of the most complex, human-centric issues (including near fatalities) at DOE and DOD sites.
Every summer since 2015, Rob has been invited as a guest lecturer by Princeton University’s Keller Center for Entrepreneurship. Rob has been teaching critical thinking skills to the Design Thinking Teams that are working on solving wicked problems for clients in New York and New Jersey.
BLUEDRAGON PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
Requirements for Certification
After completion of the BD2 training course and live case study, prospective BD2 candidates must complete the following before being certified by BlueDragon:
Rapid Investigations
Complete 6 Rapid Investigations within a 6-month period *
* Or substitute 2 additional Comprehensive Investigations
Comprehensive Investigations
Complete 3 Comprehensive Investigations within a 12-month period
- Attach the grading sheet for the charts (available on our Reference Library to former students)
- Attach the grading sheet for the final reports
Documentation
Turn in the required BD2 Certification documentation form.
Final Exam
Register and pay to take the BD2 Final Exam (75% to pass).
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
LMS Live Sessions
Online workshops are conducted through our BlueDragon Learning Management System (LMS), which requires access to the internet. There are no programs or software to download and our corporate clients will be provided with their own branded portal to access the LMS.
BD2 includes three instructor-led case studies. The case studies will be conducted online using Zoom. In addition, we will be using a virtual whiteboard that allows the team to collaborate simultaneously on the chart. These two platforms have made it possible to deliver virtual classes with the same or better results than live workshops.
- The use of virtual whiteboards has made it easier to conduct assessments, investigations and root cause analysis when we cannot conduct meetings in person.
For the instructor-led case study, participants are required to have a webcam and microphone and be able to access Zoom/WebEx through the internet.
Internet download speeds greater than 20 Mbps are highly recommended.
3 EASY STEPS TO
Get Started
1
STEP ONE
Register
Register yourself or your team for the BlueDragon Practitioner Course online.
2
STEP TWO
Pay Tuition
Tuition for online courses through the LMS is due at any time prior to gaining access to the LMS.
Tuition for instructor-led workshops are due 10 working days prior to the start of the workshop.
3
STEP THREE
Access LMS
You will receive an email with login instructions.
- Change your password on your first login.
- Click on “My Courses” and start taking your course.
- Register for the Live Sessions that correspond to your cohort.
- Complete the course in 4 weeks or less.
BECOME A BLUEDRAGON PRACTITIONER
Register Now
BD2 PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
Instructor-Led Options
Online, Instructor-led
- 4 full days of online, instructor-led training over a 2 week period (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am to 5pm)
- Includes 12 instructor-led case studies
- Up to 20 students
- $50,000
Live at Client's Facilities
4 full days of live, instructor-led training over a 1 week period (usually Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm)
- Includes 12 instructor-led case studies
- Up to 20 students
- $60,000
Want to learn more?
BLUEDRAGON
Policies
Tuition for workshops are due 10 working days prior to the start of the workshop. Participants may lose their slot in the class if payment is not received by then.
If payment is received and a student must cancel for any reason, the following cancellation policy applies:
Cancellations at least 10 working days prior to the workshop receive a full refund.
Cancellations less than 10 working days prior to the workshop will receive a refund minus a 15% cancellation fee.
Thank you for your understanding and please contact us for any questions.
Tuition for online courses through the LMS is due at any time prior to gaining access to the LMS.
Tuition for instructor-led workshops are due 10 working days prior to the start of the workshop.
Alternate Method of Payment:
Checks can be made out to:
DLE Technical Services, LLC
4634 SW Long Bay Drive
Palm City, FL 34990
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ORDER FOR PURCHASE. BY ACCESSING AND USING THIS WEBSITE SERVICE, OR SUBMITTING AN ORDER FOR PURCHASE, YOU AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THE TERMS OF SALE SET FORTH HEREIN. THESE TERMS OF SALE FORM PART OF YOUR ORDER AND PURCHASE.
INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
These Terms of Sale describe the terms and conditions for the sale of products by DLE Technical Services, LLC and its subsidiaries and affiliates (hereinafter, collectively, the “Company”).
These Terms of Sale, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the Company, apply to every sale by the Company and are included in each acceptance by the Company of any customer’s offer to purchase. If a customer offers to purchase products from the Company with its own purchase order or similar form, any terms proposed therein which add to, vary from, or conflict with these Terms are objected to by the Company and expressly rejected, and shall not be a part of the contract of sale unless the proposed terms are accepted and approved in a written document referring specifically to such terms and signed by an authorized Company representative.
PRICING AND PAYMENT
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ORDER ENTRY AND CREDIT
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The Company reserves the right to reject any order if at any time the Company deems the financial responsibility or condition of the customer placing any order to be unsatisfactory.
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
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1. Standard Products
2. Non-Standard Products
Standard Products are (A) “On Hand” or (B) “Special Order.” Standard Products are listed in the price pages and product literature. Availability of “Special Order” Products varies from plant to plant. Consult your Company Sales Representative or Customer Account Specialist for lead time, quantities, availability, and pricing.
A Non-Standard Product is any item that varies from the specification set forth in our product literature or price bulletin. Requests for Non-Standard Products must be made through the Company Sales Representative or Customer Service Center to obtain necessary approval, which will be subject to the following conditions:
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REVISIONS/CANCELLATIONS
The Customer Service Center must handle revisions or cancellations of standard product orders. Notification must be received prior to any actual loading, otherwise, the customer will be held responsible for payment.
TAXES
All taxes and excises of any nature levied by any governmental authority upon the sale, use or transportation of products covered by these Terms shall be paid and borne by the customer.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
If written or other materials are included with Products, then, unless otherwise stated in end-user license agreements that may accompany the products, the Company or original licensors grant you and your staff a limited, non-exclusive, terminable, non-transferable license to access and use such materials subject to these Terms of Sale solely in connection with the original unmodified version of the specific units of Products that you purchase.
QUALITY CLAIMS
After delivery and acceptance of the product, if any product quality complaint exists:
1. The customer must immediately notify the Company Sales Representative. The customer must safeguard the product prior to its inspection by The Company.
2. Product claimed to be defective, off quality, or substandard must not be used or sold by the customer.
3. If needed, the Company Sales Representative will arrange for an on-site inspection, obtain the facts, and discuss the results with the customer.
LIMITED WARRANTY AND REMEDIES
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THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THESE TERMS OF SALE FROM TIME TO TIME. SUCH CHANGES WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE WHEN THE COMPANY POSTS THE REVISED TERMS OF SERVICE AS PART OF THIS WEBSITE. THE MOST CURRENT VERSION OF THE TERMS OF SALE CAN BE REVIEWED BY CLICKING ON THE “TERMS OF SALE” HYPERTEXT LINK LOCATED IN THE HOME PAGE FOR THE WEBSITE. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CHECK THE TERMS OF SALE FROM TIME TO TIME, AS THEY ARE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF SALE SO POSTED FROM AND AFTER THE TIME THE CHANGES ARE POSTED. ANY REVISED TERMS OF SALE SHALL SUPERSEDE ALL PREVIOUS VERSIONS.
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These Terms of Sale do not create a distribution relationship or contract, exclusive or otherwise, nor will such a relationship or contract be inferred from any course of dealing between the Company and any of its customers who purchase products under these Terms of Sale. The Company and any customer who purchases products from it are each free without penalty to cease doing business with the other at any time, for any reason whatsoever and without notice, unless otherwise provided in a separate, written contract signed by an officer of the Company and of the particular customer.
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This Agreement shall be construed and enforced under the laws of the State of Florida, USA without reference to the choice of law principles thereof. The customer hereby consents to and submits to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the State of Florida. The customer waives any defenses based upon lack of personal jurisdiction or venue, or inconvenient forum.
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