5 WHY’s
Objectives:
- Understanding underlying roots and cause-and-effect relationship of a visible dilemma. Finding tools for decision making and actions. Strengthening critical thinking and problem framing&solving skills.
Preparation:
Tools needed: Paper, pens
Description
The method works as a part of a bigger process of decision making or problem solving/framing.
The participants should be in a group/groups of min. 3 persons. They discuss and collect input of possible questions or dilemmas in hand (about shared decision making or other). After coming up with a broader scope of a topic, the group should start framing the problem as a statement, as specific, measurable, and observable as possible.
After formulating a clear starting point, the group starts looking for answer by asking the first why and repeating the process five times so that each answer forms the basis of the next question. Note or write down the answers along the way. After reaching 5 WHY's (or the root of the question), proceed with the decision making or other process.
A super simple example of the problem "school kids are littering after school in front of the library"
1. Why are they littering? There is not a garbage bin anywhere nearby
2. Why is there no garbage bin nearby? The maintenance company moved the closest bin further one year ago
3. Why did the company move the bin? It was never used earlier
4. Why was it less used earlier? The school bus waiting spot was earlier elsewhere, and was moved next to the library this semester
Actually 5th WHY is not needed, the cause and effect as well as possible solution can be found already. Now the questions are more HOW and WHO.
Variations
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Resources
There are free visual templates to 5 why's found online, a simple research will bring up some.
Comments
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