2 minute read
5 × why to find a root cause
5 × Why to f root cause Ind a
Exploring the problem
2-8
15 min.
Complexity There may also be more underlying causes of the OHS problem that it is important to know about to ensure that the solution arrived at provides optimal prevention. The 5 × why tool can be used to find underlying causes. The participants should work in groups of 2-5 people, and it is a good idea to not to give the participants too much time, to ensure that they work intuitively.
Steps 1. 1. Give each group a 5 × why template. Describe the problem at the top of the template. 2. Ask the first member of the group to reformulate the problem into a ‘why?’ question and write it on the first line. The participant then writes the answer to the question on the next line. 3. The sheet is passed on to the next person. 4. The next participant does the same: reformulates the answer into a ‘why?’ question and writes this on the sheet. The participant then writes the answer and passes the sheet on to the next participant. 5. Repeat the activity until the sheet has been filled and the participants have found five different causes.
The result of this activity can be included in the overall exploration of the problem in the first diamond. The results may also point towards the solution options that appear, but it is important to remain in the problem exploration phase while working with the tool. The result can provide a starting point for reframing the problem.
Tips It is important that some of the participants have insight into the problem.
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11 • Tools 3 : exPlorIng Problems
Problem:
Why? Because
Why? Because
Why? Because
Why? Because
Why? Because
We do not cooperate enough
Why do we not cooperate enough? Because we do not know each other’s tasks
Why do we not know each other’s tasks? Because we each sit our own separate area
Why do we each sit with our own separate area? Because we have divided the tasks between us
Why have we divided the tasks between us? Because it was necessary after the restructuring
Why was it necessary after the restructuring? Because we had fallen behind
In case 2, the participants’ 5 × why sheet looked like this, as they used the tool to find a root cause.
11 • Tools 3 : exPlorIng Problems
