Oliver Newth

5 Whys

A framework for identifying root causes of problems through iterative questioning

· 1 min read · budding

The 5 Whys is a framework for identifying root causes of problems.

Process

Ask "why" five times in succession, each time probing deeper into the root cause of an issue.

An illustrative late-report investigation branches into late data and late review. Each branch asks for records before suggesting an ownership or scheduling cause. Continue questioning where evidence is missing.
Conceptual investigation tree: follow each plausible cause and check it against records. Five is a prompt to investigate, not a required stopping point. Original diagram based on California Lean Academy, Root Cause Analysis: The 5 Why’s.

Usage

Used for diagnosing problems and identifying underlying causes, such as declining user retention rates.

Examples and Applications

  • Problem Solving: Use when investigating root causes
  • Process Improvement: Identify systemic issues
  • See also: Problem Solving, Decision Making, MECE

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