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5 WHY
Global Standard
5 WHY
Focused Improvement
WHICH IS HOW
THE AIM TO USE IT
• To determine the root cause of a • For each identified phenomenon, begin to
defect or problem. ask why it exists and formulate answers.
• Train people to find answers to • For each answer, ask why again until the
problems using a structured root cause comes into view
approach. • Two clues to indicate the questioning has
• To be more efficient problem arrived at the root cause:
solvers (faster/quicker). • Experience a narrowing and then a
• When used properly, it is less widening of focus
•Action taken against the answer will
likely that the problem solver will
permanently resolves the problem.
be tricked or fooled into fixing
• Use data rather than generic expressions.
only the symptoms and not the • For each cause, identify actions that will
root causes of the problems.
eliminate condition forever. 2
5 WHY
Focused Improvement
Content Method of Application
A Problem-solving tool intended to trace the root causes of A Problem-solving tool intended to trace the root causes of an
an abnormal phenomenon through a consecutive set of abnormal phenomenon through a consecutive set of questions
questions (whys), which must be answered. (whys), which must be answered.
Fairly straight forward – follow steps on pro-forma • Approach for the viewpoint of the optimal condition
Useful in meetings, discussions
• Imagine required conditions and list up the conditions as
Wide applications investigation subjects.
Used in own right for sporadic failure including
• Investigate the listed items with the real objects and analyze
breakdown analysis only the objects which do not meet required conditions.
Widely used in WCM including other FI techniques
• Approach from the viewpoints of the principle and its
Discipline needed to verify each step operating standard
Surprisingly powerful
• Pay attention to the point which caused the problem and
Practice makes perfect grasp it from the viewpoint of the principle and its operating
standard.
May lead to higher level tools
Good for sporadic failures but not good for chronic • Take this problem as first WHY and continue to ask WHY
with the object.
losses unless single cause
5
53G5G
WHY
Focused Improvement
Evaluation of countermeasures
Pheno- Influence rate
Item Cause Countermeasures
mena of causes Degree of
Efficiency Rapidness
difficulty
Abstract If there are
development Problems in
several causes,
connection
it is required to
with the
consider the
system
contribution
rate of each
cause
6
53G5G
WHY: Standard Template
Focused Improvement
7
53G5G
WHY: Example
Focused Improvement