1. 1. The 5-Whys System How to Get to the Root of a Problem and Fix It Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com
2. 2. Discover the Root Causes Write down the specific problem. Writing the issue helps you formalize the problem and describe it completely. It also helps a team focus on the same problem. Image source: Open Clip Art Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com
3. 3. Why? Ask Why the problem happens and write the answer down below the problem Image source: Open Clip Art Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com
4. 4. Why? Again If the answer you just provided doesnt identify the root cause of the problem that you wrote down in Step 1, ask Why again and write that answer down. Image source: Open Clip Art Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com
5. 5. Why? Again Loop back to step 3 until the team is in agreement that the problems root cause is identified. Again, this may take fewer or more times than five Whys Image source: Open Clip Art Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com
6. 6. Continue to ask WHY until the ROOT ISSUE is discovered. Once discovered, it is time to create a COUNTERMEASURE or SOLUTION to the problem. Example: The vehicle will not start. (the problem) Why? - The battery is dead. (first why) Why? - The alternator is not functioning. (second why) Why? - The alternator belt has broken. (third why) Why? - The alternator belt was well beyond its useful service life and not replaced. (fourth why) Why? - The vehicle was not maintained according to the recommended service schedule. (fifth why, a root cause) COUNTERMEASURE: Create and maintain a schedule of regular maintenance for the vehicle. Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com
7. 7. What is the situation? Ask Why The Problem Happens Ask Why The 2nd Problem Happens Ask Why the 3rd Problem Happens Continue to Ask WHY until the Root Issue is Discovered Create a Countermeasure or Solution Created by Donna K Woolam, The Life Inspired www.DonnaWoolam.com