5 Whys

Budding

Taking shape: it has structure and links, and is still tended often

·1 min read·Planted Feb 2026

On this page4 sections

The 5 Whys is a framework for identifying root causes of problems.

Process

Ask "why" five times in succession, each time probing deeper into the root cause of an issue.

An illustrative late-report investigation branches into late data and late review. Each branch asks for records before suggesting an ownership or scheduling cause. Continue questioning where evidence is missing. — Conceptual investigation tree: follow each plausible cause and check it against records. Five is a prompt to investigate, not a required stopping point. Original diagram based on California Lean Academy, Root Cause Analysis: The 5 Why’s.

Usage

Used for diagnosing problems and identifying underlying causes, such as declining user retention rates.

Frameworks

Examples and Applications

Problem Solving: Use when investigating root causes
Process Improvement: Identify systemic issues
See also: Problem Solving, Decision Making, MECE

Further reading

California Lean Academy
Root Cause Analysis: The 5 Why’s
Trace several plausible causes and learn why the investigation matters more than asking exactly five questions.

#strategy #problem-solving #analysis

Connected notes