strategy
5 Whys (Real Why)
Ask 'why' five times before proposing a fix.
30-60 min per diagnostic session.
What it is
Root-cause diagnostic. Ask why 5 times to find the real cause of any business problem, instead of fixing symptoms.
When to use it
Any time you're tempted to propose a fix. Especially good for recurring problems that keep coming back.
How it works
- 1.Start with the symptom (not the explanation)
- 2.Ask 'why?' Take the answer seriously
- 3.Repeat 4 more times - 5 whys total
- 4.The 5th answer is usually the real cause; fix that one
Outcome
Stops the cycle of fixing surface issues. Most teams find the root cause within 30-45 minutes.
Israeli origin
Used in every Israeli ops review. Toyota Production System framework adopted by Israeli operators.