This product is copyrighte

federal law. However, feel

share with other Six Sigma
effort has been made to en
any calculations, howev
expressed or implied as to
have suggestions for impr
free to contact 6i

This product is copyrighted and protected by

federal law. However, feel free to distribute or
share with other Six Sigma professionals. Every
effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of
any calculations, however no guarantee is
expressed or implied as to its accuracy. If you
have suggestions for improvement please feel
free to contact 6ixSigma.org

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5 Why's

By asking successive 'Why's' the team may be able to ident

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Therefore

What is the failure?

The car won't start

Therefore

Why did this occur?

It ran out of gasoline

Therefore

Why did this occur?

I forgot to fill it up

Is Confirmation Necessary?
Yes
No
Yes
No

Therefore

Why did this occur?

The fuel gage is not working

Yes
No

Therefore

Why did this occur?

I forgot to have it repaired

Yes
No

Why did this occur?

I didn't put it on the repair list when it broke

Yes

Root Cause

Be sure the 5 Why's is grounded in observation

able to identify Root Cause

Necessary?

Instructi

STEP 1 : Define the prob

How is this confirmed?
Manual Fuel level check

STEP 2 : Ask: Why did th

STEP 3 : Answer: Does th

If Yes, then rec
How is this confirmed?
Last receipt available

How is this confirmed?

Fuel gage testing

STEP 4 : Repeat Step 2 &

STEP 5 : Verify Root Caus

it to the previo

STEP 6 : Repeat Step 5 u

How is this confirmed?
Maintenance records

How is this confirmed?

n observation not deduction

STEP 7 : If there is a logi

to the problem

Instructions:
Define the problem. What is the product, process or service that has failed.
Ask: Why did this occur?
Answer: Does this reason need to ne confirmed? If No proceed to next 'Why?'
If Yes, then record how confirmation was made.
Repeat Step 2 & 3 until Root Cause is identified.
Verify Root Cause by starting at the probable Root Cause and connecting
it to the previous cause using 'Therefore'
Repeat Step 5 until you reach the problem
If there is a logical connection between each pair of statements back
to the problem then you have likely found the Root Cause