Which technique involves repeatedly asking 'Why' to uncover root causes?

• A. Five Whys
• B. Root Cause Analysis
• C. Ishikawa Diagram
• D. Fault Tree Analysis

Answer: (A)

Repeatedly asking “Why” to uncover root causes is the Five Whys technique. It starts with a problem statement, asks why it occurred, then takes that answer and asks why again, continuing this loop until a fundamental cause is identified. This focused, iterative questioning aims to move beyond surface symptoms to underlying issues, making it a classic tool within Root Cause Analysis and a staple for continuous improvement. Other methods like a broad Root Cause Analysis process, the Ishikawa Diagram (fishbone) for mapping potential causes, or Fault Tree Analysis (logical diagrams of failure paths) are valuable for organizing or visualizing causes, but they don’t center on the simple, repeated why questioning that defines the Five Whys.