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Problem SolvingPrincipiante

The 5 Whys

The 5 Whys method helps teams uncover the root cause of a problem by repeatedly asking 'why?' This technique encourages deeper analysis and understanding, leading to more sustainable solutions.

Duración
30m–1h
Tamaño del grupo
5–10 people
Materiales
sticky notes, flip-chart paper, markers

Cómo ejecutarlo

  1. 1

    Identify and clearly write the problem statement in a visible area.

  2. 2

    Give each participant five sticky notes and ask them to number them 1 through 5.

  3. 3

    Instruct participants to consider why the problem exists and write their initial response on sticky note 1.

  4. 4

    Have participants ask why their previous answer is true, writing the next response on sticky note 2.

  5. 5

    Continue this process until all five sticky notes are filled.

  6. 6

    Create a wall display with the problem statement and a column for each participant's answers, ordered from 1 to 5.

  7. 7

    Review the responses as a group, noting patterns and differences, and discuss.

  8. 8

    Facilitate a consensus-building session to identify the most insightful 'whys' and rewrite them on new sticky notes for a final display.

Consejos

  • Encourage honesty and openness during the process to ensure valuable insights.

  • Remind participants to focus on immediate responses to avoid jumping to conclusions.

  • Be flexible with the number of 'whys' if deeper exploration is needed.

Variaciones

While typically five 'whys' are used, feel free to extend the questioning until the group reaches a meaningful understanding. Adapt the method for individual reflection before group discussion for a different dynamic.

Casos de uso

Root cause analysis of recurring issuesUnderstanding complex team dynamicsImproving process inefficiencies
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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.

The 5 Whys — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver