The 5 Whys
Step # 1 Describe what the problem is. Step # 2 Ask why several times to better understand the reasons for the problem. Keep asking why until you get to the real reason for the problem.
Sources of inspiration https://www.atlassian.com/team-playbook/plays/5-whys http://www.bulsuk.com/2009/03/5-why-finding-root-causes.html http://blog.gembaacademy.com/2010/01/10/introducing-the-5-why-%E2%80%9Cso-what%E2%80%9D-test/ https://hbr.org/video/2189146765001/5-whys http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2011/05/some_years_ago.shtml http://www.lifehack.org/572725/why-critical-thinking-essential-your-success-and-how-you-can-improve http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_5W.htm http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/how-to-formulate-a-creative-problem-statement/ http://youtu.be/JmrAkHafwHI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Whys