One Good Idea: Five Whys and a Why Not
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One Good Idea: Five Whys and a Why Not
One more question could change everything
- Publication:
- Quality Progress
- Date:
- January 2017
- Issue:
- Volume 50 Issue 1
- Pages:
- pp. 63
- Author(s):
- Fogle, Alan, Kandler, Edward
- Organization(s):
- Ultra Electronics, Nuclear Sensors and Process Instrumentation, Round Rock, TX
Abstract
The five whys method is a simple way to uncover the root cause of a problem. It can be enhanced by adding a six question, “Why not?” This forces the problem solver to use a different type of thought and tests potential root causes against the original problem. The five whys method is already one of the best tools in the quality toolbox, and by adding a sixth question the thoroughness of the tool is significantly enhanced while maintaining the tool’s simplicity.