The 5 Whys Explained - Root Cause Analysis

In this video, we explain how to use The 5 Whys technique to find the root cause of a problem.
We also look at:
- The advantages and disadvantages of the model.
- How to deploy countermeasures at all levels of your analysis.
Read more in our companion article:
bit.ly/2HumC8I
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[@BlessUp.]

Identifying the problem or issue is sometimes obvious. However, knowing the “why” is the only way to discover an applicable solution. Cause and Effect(ive). Great video!

[@garycoachclinton]

I think you can use this in the reverse too right? Why would you exercise? Or why would you change? Or why would you become rich? Even if it's 3 why's or 10 why's like you mention it could be the opposite of a problem:)

[@allset7971]

That was very helpful. Thank you.

well explaination and useful examples, many thanks

[@k50159]

Thank you so much!

[@mohammadarifkhan4357]

That's a very good explanation!

[@mishra_shashwat]

I love your channel ❤☺️ Keep up the good work. Take care😇

[@epm8805]

Thank you so much!

[@josephmayquez1034]

Thank you so much this video!

[@haraiclark]

Hi Steve, we would like to use your video in our safety training. Is that possible?

[@kanchanc7693]

This was the simplest video with simplest example explained wonderfully. Thanks a lot! Can use this to train my team

[@serpilsanli]

Thank You very much for sharing and tremendous help!

[@VikramSingh-wh9ev]

Hiii

[@VikramSingh-wh9ev]

How are you

[@KunalSharma-tx5bg]

That was helpful. Thank you

[@yasasdagreat]

Thanks a lot. Great!!

[@StevenBayliss1]

Hi EPM, I've just come across your channel and like the content. Great work. Would you consider doing video on Game Theory for business and strategy. Cheers Steve

[@epm8805]

Hi Steve, I'd love to do a video on Game Theory and Strategy, but already have a full content schedule so can't predict when I'll get to making it. Until then, there is a pretty comprehensive strategy section on the website here: expertprogrammanagement.com/strategy/. Denis

[@SBZ9400]

This was a great video and also really really helpful and straight to the point. I feel more confident putting this respected skill on my resume.

[@prajwalsharma2794]

Can you have multiple root causes for the same problem? For eg, I am working on a problem statement ie. working professionals don't prepare their food. There are two root causes for that. They don't have enough time and the whole process of cooking is intimidating.

[@OfficeofEmpowerment]

What year was this video published?

[@sugathbandara3624]

Thank you 🙏

[@ianprice7776]

Hi Steve, what would you do if you couldn’t get pass the first why due to lack of knowledge? But the problem is intermittent so you can’t escalate it?

[@archiejohnson3117]

How do you know there is a problem, did you create a problem statement

[@flygringo]

WHY is there a lack of knowledge? Lack of training? WHY?....

[@EvanScottyBryant]

Why don't we have the properly trained individuals required to facilitate the task?

[@olemew]

7:30 You forgot the one key problem. A solution for a problem might not be the right action for the company. Most 5Y end up on some recommendation to increase quality control, more documentation, check twice, etc. as if that didn't have any cost. Guess what. It might be better to have failures occasionally instead of slowing everything down. It is a narrow metholodogy. Whatever results is fed out, you must be put it into context before taking action.

[@manibhaskar4184]

Very nice

[@spikerz81]

if all "the why" should have a countermeasure, would it be a redundant act? since the first to 4th is not the rootcause of the problem?

[@DawoodJJ]

Thank you so much EPM. This RCA very useful for project.

[@spennny1000]

Brilliant

[@jefferyfowler7860]

My boss uses the 5 why system. Your Fault, your fault, your fault, your fault, WhYYYY

[@user-wx6eq3qe6z]

Love it

[@razvanmihoci8445]

Why is 5 whys and not 7 or 9? Thanks

[@kdkarr]

Good explanation of the process. I realize this is just fictional, but find it Interesting how it's "blame the developer due to them assuming". Maybe it was that the development team didn't encounter this condition in the test environment since that cannot completely simulate real world conditions. Just for thoughts. :)

[@olemew]

Yeah. Method fails if the answers are wrong. Also, a solution for a problem might not be the right action for the company Most of these 5Y end up on some recommendation to increase quality control, make more documentation, etc etc as if that didn't have any cost. Guess what. It might be better to have failures now and then instead of slowing everything down.

[@mdrakibislam2546]

Thinks

[@fixufixu5651]

5whys for overthinkers :P anyway... thanks for the great vid

[@blair5475]

Is it necessary we use all of the 5 whys all the time? what if we can only come up with 3 or 2?

[@epm8805]

No, you don't have to use all five. Just keep asking why until you can dig no deeper and you'll have your root cause. That might take 3 or it might take 6 whys!

[@blair5475]

@@epm8805 Thank you

[@blair5475]

@@epm8805 I have another question if you don't mind. Is a Fishbone diagram used when the problem has multiple root causes, or a root cause with multiple causes?

[@epm8805]

Use a fishbone when you have a problem and you want to brainstorm what might have caused it, by considering all options and not just jumping straight to a conclusion. You can use the 5 Whys as part of a fishbone analysis - the Fishbone video I made shows how to do this.

[@blair5475]

@@epm8805 I'll check your video out, thank you!

[@davidtapia9089]

What if you can't get through all five whys?

[@jasonbutz5165]

gargantuan good

[@supie5063]

Miss me with that Why shit 🤔

[@sandeep22101983]

When you complete 5th Why... Around you filled with enemies. If your manager not strong then you might targeted terminated. This reason 5 why not effectively asked 😅😅😅😂. I was HSE manager, I have completed this process for accident , after 6 month I was terminated😅bcz project & operations manager was exposed

[@josegray666]

Gosh I am so indecisive, I can't create a path for myself! Why? Because there are so many thngs I wanna do and be successful at simultaneously. Why? Because I wanna live a fulfilling and enrinching life full of success stories and Why? Because I dont wanna regret anything before I die. Why? Because I've been told my whole live that I have potential on different things, that I'm going places. Why? Because they saw me doing creative stuff as hobbies and getting good grades when I was a kid at school. Why? Because I showed them. Why? Because I need human validation Why? Because I'm a HUMAN Why? Because... nature? Why? ....

[@gabrielsilva-vs9ev]

the sound is not good I am quite disappointed

[@taevan4463]

Cute, I use a 6 why's model myself

[@ImJiom]

so common sense basically

[@muskduh]

lol

[@bobbyvolkert.2063]

ESP,s are not interesses no more in 1 and other current the mening of LIFE.

[@mattivy-hcpf4308]

"Having a word with the development team manager" is not a specific enough action to address Cause #5. I know this is about Root Cause Analysis, but it might be better if you gave good examples of implementation actions.

[@supie5063]

Everyone knows to blame the warehouse. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chathjay]

p

[@ThuyNguyen-lp2wi]

the sound is not good I am quite disappointed