5 Whys Insights

What is 5 Whys?

The 5 Whys is an iterative interrogative technique used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem. The primary goal is to determine the root cause of a defect or problem by repeatedly asking the question "Why?". Each answer forms the basis of the next question. The "5" in the name is anecdotal, suggesting that five iterations are often sufficient to resolve the problem. This technique is often used in lean manufacturing and problem-solving methodologies.

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What other technologies are related to 5 Whys?

5 Whys Complementary Technologies

Fishbone Diagrams

Fishbone diagrams (also known as Ishikawa diagrams) are used to visually map cause and effect, similar to 5 Whys, and are helpful in identifying the root cause of a problem.

mentioned alongside 5 Whys in 34% (84) of relevant job posts

Ishikawa diagrams

Ishikawa diagrams (also known as Fishbone diagrams) are used to visually map cause and effect, similar to 5 Whys, and are helpful in identifying the root cause of a problem.

mentioned alongside 5 Whys in 34% (60) of relevant job posts

Fishbone

Short name for Fishbone diagrams, which are used to visually map cause and effect, similar to 5 Whys, and are helpful in identifying the root cause of a problem.

mentioned alongside 5 Whys in 13% (132) of relevant job posts