5 Whys
The “5 Whys” method is a root cause identification technique in which the question “Why?” is asked five times in order to identify the underlying causes of a problem or situation and not just to treat the symptoms.
Effort: small Difficulty: low Effectiveness: short
Can be used alone to reflect on complex problems. In the course of a project, the method is particularly useful for quickly and effectively analyzing the causes of problems that arise.
💡 Tip from practice: Be patient and go into detail to find the real causes.
Related methods
EA Environmental Analysis CC Case Clinic FM FMEA ID Ishikawa Diagram MC Multiple Cause Diagram 6TH 6 Thinking Hats
The full step-by-step guide and more practical tips are in the app and the book.
Public: teaser, category badges, one tip, related methods. Reserved for book/app: the full step-by-step guide, all further tips, and the detailed assessment.