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There is a simple but effective technique for determining the root cause without resorting to the more complex tools and techniques included in the Analyse section of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology - covered in depth on our Root Cause Analysis course as well as our Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt & Yellow Belt courses:
The 5 Whys
A question every parent and teacher will be very familiar with, asking why is a great way of winding people up. Every time you ask why, someone has to explain the last reason they gave - narrowing down or opening up the original statement until the asker is happy - which can go on for a long time with children.
What makes asking why a workable solution for determining the root cause of a problem?
- It is an easy tool that requires little statistical analysis
- You document each step of the analysis so you always know the path to the root cause
- The root cause is found more often that not
- Multiple root causes are often stumbled upon during the process
Why 5?
5 has been identified as the optimum number of ways needed to find the root cause of a problem. Most root causes are identified around the 5th question but some more complex problems lead to more questions being asked.
Andy Trainer
25 May 2012
Facilitation is a skill crucial in guiding a meeting to make a decision or think of a solution without providing it. Our writer John A G Smith uses his experience to explain why learning Facilitation Skills is so much better than 'B.A. Ping Pong'?!
The Rules of B. A. Ping Pong
It’s a game that every Business Analyst has played. Many do not even have a name for it and, of those that do, it’s usually unrepeatable in polite company. I call it ‘B. A. Ping Pong’ … although maybe that should be ‘wiff waff’?
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
The rules are very simple and any Business Analyst can play. Here’s how it works:
John A G Smith
12 Jul 2016
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