The 5 Whys Framework: How To Move From Symptoms to Root Causes

In this issue:

• What is the 5 Whys Framework?
• Why the 5 Whys Works (and Why Most Fixes Don’t)
• Real-life Scenarios
• How to Apply The 5 Whys Framework
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Complementary Frameworks
• Takeaways for Managers
• Download Your 5 Whys Worksheets!
• Try This Simple Exercise

Your team is working overtime to meet a critical project deadline.

Everything looks great until, hours before the release to your customer, a key component starts to fail. You get your best folks on it, but nobody can figure out what’s going on.

With every passing minute, the situation turns heated, your heart starts racing, and you start mentally preparing your “explanation” for the failed release to your boss.

Just as you are about to declare defeat, out of nowhere, Sam — one of your team members — comes up to you and claims to have ‘the fix’. You promptly ask him to apply the fix (and make a mental note to get Sam queued up for a promotion — he deserves it.)

The fix is applied, the problem is solved, and the release goes out on time. Hurrah!

⏳

Three days after the release, a key customer reports an issue with your product.