The 5 x Why Method (The 5 Whys)

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.

		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...