Tips for Successfully Implementing the Five Whys
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1. Never Search for the Root Cause Alone
Answers can sometimes generate emotional responses, therefore, digging into the root cause should be done as a team to reduce the risk of bias.
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2. Don\'t Feel the Need to Stop at Five
Try not to look at five as a firm number. The number of iterations will vary based on each specific problem.
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3. Learn to Distinguish Causes from Symptoms
It\'s vital to continue probing each answer extensively to uncover deeper underlying causes.
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4. Be as In-Depth with Your Answers as Possible
With each answer, you\'re ultimately looking for another question. Keep your answers as detailed as possible to help with the flow.
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5. Make Sure You Gather the Right Resources
Gather everything you need in advance of the meeting that will help to make an informed decision (personnel, documentation, communication etc.)
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