5 Why’s Technique
and Cause and Effect
Analysis
UWU/EAG/13/00
UWU/EAG/13/0035

5 Why’s Technique
History
•Invented in the 1930’s by Toyota Founder Kiichiro
Toyoda’s father Sakichi and made popular in the 1970s
•by the Toyota Production System, the 5 Whys strategy
involves looking at any problem and asking,
“Why?” and “What caused this problem?”

5 Why’s Technique
Definition
• By asking the question "Why" you can separate
the symptoms from the causes of a problem
•Using the technique effectively will define the root
cause and defining effective long term corrective
actions

5 Why’s Technique
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Root Cause

5 Why’s Technique
Processof 5Why
1. WriteDowntheSpecificProblem
2. AskWHYtheProblemhappenedandwritedowntheAnswer
3. If the Answer is not the Root Cause, Ask WHY the Answer
happenedandwritedownthenewAnswer
4. Repeat Step 3 until the team agrees that the Root Cause has been
identified
◦ -Maytakemoreorlessthan5Whys
◦ -Keepaskinguntilyoucannolongeranswer

5 Why’s Technique
PROBLEM STATEMENT: Pizza Delivered Cold

5 Why’s Technique
Advantages of 5 why’s Technique
1.Simplicity: It is easy to use and requires no
advanced mathematics or tools(simple tool)
2. Effectiveness: It truly helps to quickly separate
symptoms from causes and identify the root cause of
a problem(quick)
3. Comprehensiveness: It aids in determining the
relationships between various problem causes

5 Why’s Technique
Advantages of 5 why’s Technique ( Cont.)
4. Flexibility: It works well alone and when
combined with other quality improvement and
troubleshooting techniques
6. Inexpensive: It is a guided, team focused
exercise, There are no additional costs(team
approach)
7. Easy to learn and Easy to use

5 Why’s Technique
Disadvantages of 5 Whys Analysis
•it is essentially a very simple tool
•may not be suitable for complex problems
• be confused with an in depth analytical tool
• the more complicated a situation that 5 Whys
Analysis will lead you the wrong way

Cause & Effect
Analysis

Outline
Introduction
Steps in Cause & Effect Analysis
Example
Advantages & Disadvantages

Introduction
Cause & Effect Analysis
Founder : Professor Kaoru Ishikawa(1960s)
Use to Identify Likely Causes of Problems
Diagram-based technique
Combines Brainstorming with Mind Mapping
Originally developed as a quality control tool

Can use for,
-Discover the root cause of a problem
-Uncover bottlenecks in processes
-Identify where and why a process isn't working

Known as,
 Cause and Effect Diagrams
 Fishbone Diagrams
 Ishikawa Diagrams
 Herringbone Diagrams
 Fishikawa Diagrams

Steps in Cause & Effect
Analysis
There are four steps to using the tool
1.Identify the problem
2.Work out the major factors involved
3.Identify possible causes
4. Analyze your diagram

Example
Step 1: Identify the Problem
Example:
Owner of a coffee shop identifies coffee made by
his shop are not tasty
Bad Coffee

Step 2: Work Out the Major Factors
Involved
Example:
The owner identifies the following factors, and
adds these to his diagram:
-People
-Procedures
-Material
-Equipment

People Procedures
Material Equipment
Bad Coffee

Step 3: Identify Possible Causes
Example:
For each of the factors he identified in step 2,
the owner brainstorms possible causes of the
problem, and adds these to his diagram

People Procedures
Material Equipment
Bad Coffee
No Training
Wrong Fee
Too much coffee
Too much water
Too many grounds
Bad
Cream
Bad Sugar Dirty Cups
Coffee not
hot enough
Wrong size
filter
Packet is wet
Outdated
Warmer not
working
No Training

Step 4: Analyze Your Diagram
Example:
The owner analyze his diagram & identify the
solutions for the problem
- Giving training to workers
- Repairing & buying equipments
- Buying quality ingredients
- Paying relevant salaries for workers

Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
• Helps to formulate theories about possible cause
& effect relationships
• Shows subordinate relationships
• Provides basis for experimental plan or data
collection plan
• Shows areas of weakness
• Easy to implement
• Avoids overlooking any possible root causes

Disadvantages
• Main categories must be known in advanced
• If category is left out, it limit the thinking
• Many ideas & subcategories makes diagram complex
• Sometimes difficult to determine subordinate
relationships
• Does not evaluate relative importance of ideas
• Diagram can not substitute for numerical data

Thank you………!