WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

5WHY
&

5W2H?

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 WHAT IS
5 WHY?

5 Why (or Why Why Analysis) is a

tool used to identify the root
cause of a problem by repeatedly
asking the question 'Why'.

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 PURPOSE

To find out the exact root

'cause' of 'problem' by finding
the exact chain of the
relationship between them.
To solve the problem
permanently from its roots.
To eliminate the re-
occurrence of the problem.

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 WHERE IS IT USED?

5 Why is used generally at the

"Analysis" phase of problem-
solving work flow or a DMAIC six
sigma project while forming the
'problem statement' in that phase.

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 HOW TO USE IT
(EXAMPLES)

1 Why - (Why do we see this

as a problem?) - Because one
machine operator got injured,
which is a reportable safety
issue.
2 Why - (Why did the Machine
operator get injured?) - He
slipped on a slippery shop
floor.
3 Why - (Why he slipped from
the slippery shop floor?) - The
shop floor had oil spillage, as
reported by the supervisor.

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4 Why - (Why does the shop
floor have oil spillage?) - The
drain outlet seal of the oil tank
of the machine has leakage, as
seen by the team
5 Why - (Why does the drain
outlet of the oil tank of the
machine have leakage?) - The
seal was not replaced during
preventive maintenance (PM),
verified by the team

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 WHAT IS
5W2H?

5W2H (Who, What, Where, When,

Why, How, and How much) is a
structured problem-solving
approach that helps gather basic
information about the problem
and create a comprehensive
action plan.

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 PURPOSE

To find out all important

information about a problem
so that a SMART definition can
be made.
To define what is the problem
and what is not a problem.
To limit the scope of problem-
solving.
To get a 360-degree view of
the problem.

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 WHERE IS IT USED?

It is generally used at the start of

problem-solving in the "Define"
phase of the problem-solving
workflow or a DMAIC six sigma
project while forming the 'problem
statement' in that phase.
Its problem is well defined
considering all directions. If the
team understands the problem
well, then it is half solved, which
means the team will properly
direct their next steps.

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 HOW TO USE IT
(EXAMPLES)

What - What is the problem? -

Operator got injured on the shop
floor.
Where - Where is the problem? -
In the machine shop near machine
number 4 & 5.
When - When is the problem? - 2
Accidents happened in multiple
shifts (1st & 3rd) in the last 8
days.
Who- Who is involved in the
problem phenomenon? - 2
machine operators working on the
machine were the affected
persons. One slipped and was
injured, and another slipped but
did not get injured.

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Why is the problem - Probably,
floor conditions are not as per
standard, and slippages are
happening due to oil being on the
shop floor, as reported by the
shift supervisor.
How - How is the problem
happening? While working, the
machine operator had to take a
few steps to pick the parts, and
while doing it, he slipped down
and got an elbow injury on his
right hand. In the second case,
the operator slipped but did not
get an injury.
How much - How many
incidences? There is a total of 2
incidences reported in the last 8
days.

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Learn Problem-solving
techniques in our Green Belt,
Black Belt, and Master Black
Belt programs.

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