5 Why Problem Solving
(Root Cause Analysis)

 5 Why Root Cause Analysis

Whether you spell it 5 Why, Five Why, 5 Y, or Five Y it is a quick and easy way to find the root cause, solve the problem and develop effective solutions. 

Asking “Why” may be a favorite thing with a 3-year-old child and it is certain to drive you crazy after a while, but it could teach us a valuable lesson.

The 5 Whys is an easy problem solving technique that helps you get to the root of the problem quickly. 

By repeatedly asking the question “Why” (five is a good rule of thumb), you can peel away the layers of symptoms which can lead to the root cause. Although the method is called “5 Whys”, you may find that you will need to ask the question fewer or more than the five times before you find the root cause of the problem.  The method may not lead you to the root cause if exercised incorrectly.

Proper training and practice is needed to avoid going down the wrong path when using the 5 Why method.

Let’s examine the different types of causes.

Symptoms

Symptoms are not causes. They are a manifestation of the cause. Developing solutions for a symptom will not cure the problem. A fever accompanying a cold is a symptom. Taking aspirin will help the fever but not cure the cold.

Direct Causes

Direct causes are in fact causes but they are not the root cause. They are the immediate reason why the problem occurred.  Let’s suppose you go to start you car and the engine won’t turn over. What might be a direct cause? A dead battery could do that.

Contributing Causes

These causes contribute to the direct cause but, again, they usually are not the root cause. In the example of the car engine not turning over, what contributed to the direct cause? Well, being the idiot I am I left the headlights on.

Once in a while a contributing cause turns out to be the root cause. This is generally not the case, however.

Root Causes

The root cause is the one we are looking for. It is the most basic reason the problem developed. If we can develop a solution or countermeasure for the root cause we can cure the specific problem related to the root cause, permanently. I'll let you come up with your own fix for the leaving the headlights on. Oh! You can't use "operator error" as the root cause. And, you can't use "retrained operator" as the solution. Sorry about that but people make mistakes and forget things. You need to do better than blame an operator.

Five-by-Five

We have added a step to the standard 5 Why method we call the Five-by-Five Whys. It helps teams get and stay on the right track. Whether you ask Why 5 times or 5 million times, if you get on the wrong track you will still have the problem. Five-by-Five keeps you going in the right direction.

If you would like to learn about the 5 Why process give us a call or send us an email.

You can have this class presented at your business for as little a $34.00 per person. Travel expensesnot included.

Class is a half-day.

The course includes:

1.       Introduction

2.        Types of causes

3.        5 Why steps

4.        5 Why funnel

5.        Grasp the problem

6.        Cause Investigation (5 Why)

7.        Problem correction

8.        Problem solving checklist

9.        Five-by-Five

10.    Case studies and workshops

11.    CEU or RU credits

 Additional Resources