|
Ger de Waard Management Consultant, Netherlands
|
The 5 x Why Method (The 5 Whys)
DESCRIPTION OF THE 5 WHY METHOD
The "5 x why" method has been developed by Toyota to perform an iterative Root Cause Analysis of production-related problems. The "5 x why" method is one of the available tools for performing a root-cause analysis. Its simple design and effective output made the 5 x why method also into a popular method used in Kaizen, Lean Production, Six Sigma, Value Stream Analysis, etc.
HOW DOES THE 5 X WHY METHOD WORK?
- IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM for which the root cause has to be identified.
- ASK: WHY has this problem arisen? The result is a reply with a new or different problem.
- KEEP ASKING: WHY? Take the first answer (or problem) and reformulate the question: Where has this issue has arisen? Repeat these steps until you arrive at the core (root-cause) of the issue/problem.
 USING THE 5 WHYS. APPLICATIONS
The 5 x Whys can be used for several things:
- VALIDATING ASSUMPTIONS: It is a simple tool that helps the Belt to unearth an assumption embedded in the process he/she is investigating. Once an assumption is revealed and of course also tested with data, it ensures excellent results.
- DETERMINING ROOT CAUSES: However 5 x Why is more used in determining the Root Cause(s) of problems
This technique is most used in the Analyze phase of DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). The 5 x Whys doesn’t involve a statistical hypothesis and in many cases can be completed without a data collection plan.
- FINDING NON-VALUE ADD ACTIVITIES: The 5 Whys can also be used as a tool in Value Stream Analysis. Value stream mapping is as we know hard work because it requires looking at a process as if every step is non-value-added and is costing the organization time and resources. The 5 Whys is an easy way to root out as many non-value-added steps as possible.
IS ASKING “WHY?” 5 TIMES ENOUGH?
Often you need to ask 6, 7 and even sometimes 8 x Why to find the real root cause of the problem. Perhaps a better name would be "Multiple Why’s Method".
EXAMPLE OF 5 WHYS
An excellent example of 5 x Why is the Jefferson Memorial by Juran Institute.
X
Welcome to the Six Sigma forum. The topic being discussed here is: "The 5 x Why Method (The 5 Whys)".
Please sign up now to read all responses and to join this discussion yourself.
Log in
|
|
Ashok Kella Manager, India
|
|
Our Endorsement to the 5 Whys
Yes, recently, in a complex issue dissecting in ou...
|
|
|
David Week Director, Australia
|
|
Better, but not 'root'
Five Whys is a great way to get better answers, bu...
|
|
|
Ivan Kohlinsky Management Consultant, United Kingdom
|
|
Back to Fundamental Thinking
Excuse me, but I am asking myself WHY is this meth...
|
|
|
Dr. Schoenborn Management Consultant, Germany
|
|
5-W in Combination with Impact Measurement
I agree with @David that 5-W is a good approach fo...
|
|
|
Wulf-Dieter Krueger Teacher, Thailand
|
|
5 Times Why - the Emperor's New Clothes
Watch your children asking this question again and...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Root Cause by Conscious Approach
A rational approach is certainly a way to get clar...
|
|
|
David Torres Manager, Mexico
|
|
5 x WHY’S is not Enough for Me
I took an 8D’s course and the homework was to take...
|
|
|
Johnny Michael Tan Management Consultant, Malaysia
|
|
I Prefer the Following Name for this Tool: Why-Why Analysis
I want to share that when my Semiconductor manufac...
|
|
|
Rodolfo Dionisi Argentina
|
|
Tools According to Problem Complexity
Remember that the first step to solve a problem (o...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Role of Biases in Determining the 5 Whys
The 5 Whys as a tool is available for long and is ...
|
|
|
Mireille.durin HR Consultant, Belgium
|
|
1 WHY is Enough Sometimes
@Srinivas: There is always a WHY... Why this situa...
|
|
|
Pedro Monteiro Manager, Portugal
|
|
5 Why is Excellent Tool to Start and Get Back to the Basics
5 Whys is one of the best, simple and effective pr...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Preparing for Usage of 5 Whys
Before we use the 5 Whys is it possible and useful...
|
|
|
VILMA JOY VALLE, Philippines
|
|
You Can Use 1 Why or 5 Whys or Multiple Whys
Not all people can solve a particular problem with...
|
|
|
Ashok Kella Manager, India
|
|
Change 5 Why into Why-why Analysis
@Johnny Michael Tan: I agree with you that "Five" ...
|
|
|
Dietmar W. Sokowski Consultant, United States
|
|
Back to Fundamental Thinking
@Ivan Kohlinsky: Good point Ivan. Your comment is ...
|
|
|
Sudheendra G. Mudikeri Management Consultant, India
|
|
A Tip for this Fundamental Why-Why Technique
No matter how many WHYs are used, this tool has wi...
|
|
|
Olaf de Hemmer Business Consultant, France
|
|
Why? or: What For?
I agree with pointing out that 'root cause' is hel...
|
|
|
C.L. Kappagomtula Professor, Malaysia
|
|
Even a Single 'why' Can Suffice, Without Overtly Asking 'Why'
Those of you working in production/operations migh...
|
|
|
Miguel Sacramento Business Consultant, Brazil
|
|
5 Why is not Japanese
@Wulf-Dieter Krueger: Yes. Every children has a "m...
|
|
|
Bevis Qiu China
|
|
Find the Most Cost-Effective Solution after 5 Whys
Different solutions can be found through different...
|
|
|
Olaf de Hemmer Business Consultant, France
|
|
Children Ask Why? Meaning what For?
@Wulf-Dieter Krueger: Are chidren not more interes...
|
|
|
Miguel Sacramento Business Consultant, Brazil
|
|
5 Why is not Japanese
@Olaf de Hemmer: Sometimes yes. It depends on each...
|
|
|
Wulf-Dieter Krueger Teacher, Thailand
|
|
Children Asking Why
Children ask why for the same reason as anybody el...
|
|
|
FASESIN David Manager, Nigeria
|
|
5 WHY Methodology is Advanced
The 5 WHY methodology for problem solving is more ...
|
|
|
Ashok Kella Manager, India
|
|
Advanced 5 WHY Methodology
@FASESIN David: The effectiveness of Why-Why has b...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Organisation Service or Product Delivery - Human Analogy-Root Cause
When we considering an organization as a living be...
|
|
|
jorge anibal hoyos hoyos Manager, Colombia
|
|
Ask as Many Whys as Necessary
When talking about WHYS I also recall my kids when...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Conscious Approach
We have expert systems which are currently under d...
|
|
|
VILMA JOY VALLE, Philippines
|
|
Methods of Iterative Root Cause Analysis
We have a lot of tools available in the past and a...
|
|
|
Lee, Youngki Consultant, Korea (South)
|
|
My Important Experience with 5 Whys
I engaged a company in a training meeting with emp...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Delegation of All Rationally Viable Methods
If all rational methods including why why approach...
|
|
|
Olaf de Hemmer Business Consultant, France
|
|
AI and Causes / Goals
@Srinivas: I'd be curious to see how AI gets the a...
|
|
|
Paramathmuni srinivas Kumar India
|
|
Feedback Loop Mechanism
Using semantic web technologies which are based on...
|
|
|
C.L. Kappagomtula Professor, Malaysia
|
|
Stochastic Approach to Root Cause Analysis May Be the Need of the Day
I fully concur with Ger De Waard's argument to not...
|
|
|
|
|