Which of the following techniques is primarily about understanding the root cause of issues?

Root Cause Analysis is a systematic approach used to identify the underlying factors contributing to a problem or issue within a process, system, or situation. This technique focuses on pinpointing the actual causes rather than just addressing the symptoms or surface issues. By exploring factors such as processes, environments, and behaviors, Root Cause Analysis allows stakeholders to develop more effective solutions that tackle these fundamental causes, thereby preventing the problem from recurring.

In contrast, the other techniques mentioned serve different purposes. Gap Analysis is used to compare current performance with desired performance, identifying gaps that need to be filled to reach specific goals. Benchmarking involves comparing processes and performance metrics against best practices from other organizations to identify areas for improvement. SWOT Analysis assesses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats relative to competitive positioning or strategic planning, which does not specifically focus on uncovering root causes of problems. Thus, Root Cause Analysis is the most appropriate technique for digging deeply into issues to determine their origins.