04/09/2017
If you're looking for a way to start a root cause analysis (which will usually become a root causes analysis, as there's seldom only one cause of a problem) the 5 Whys technique can be a great way to start. It reminds you to keep looking to deeper levels to find the actual cause/causes rather than just ending up with an explanation of what happened. In human factors/ergonomics (HFE) we often find ourselves going beyond only 5 to get further into events (and starting to sound like an obstinate toddler!π)
Here's a quick introduction!
5 Whys is an iterative interrogative technique used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem.[1] The primary goal of the technique is to determine the root cause of a defect or problem by repeating the question "Why?" Each answer forms the basis of the next quest...