The 5 WHYS / Framework and Template

This tool is useful for troubleshooting, quality improvement, and problem solving. Developed from Sakichi Toyoda's work from the 1930s, this tool is a simple way to reveal root causes.

​The 5 Whys technique is very simple: when a problem occurs, you drill down to its root cause by asking "Why?" five times. Then, when a 'counter-measure' becomes apparent, sometimes before you have asked why five times, you follow it through to prevent the issue from recurring.

The 5 WHYS framework and template are also available as a physical resource in the handbook for Placemaking Kit Tāmaki Makaurau.

Produced by: Catalyse

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0