Tech Glossary
What is 5 Why?
5 Why is a method of problem solving that is used to identify and solve the root cause of a problem. The method involves continuing to ask yourself ``why'' five times to get to the underlying cause of the problem. By using the 5 Why method, you can ensure that you are not only treating the symptoms of a problem, but actually addresses the root cause. In this way, you can prevent the same problem from occurring again in the future. There are other methods of problem solving that are similar to 5 Why. Examples of such methods are the Fishbone diagram, the Ishikawa diagram and the 5S method. Each method has its own advantages and uses, but all aim to facilitate problem solving and improve processes.