The 5 whys technique

The "5 whys" technique was developed by Sakichi Toyoda, Founder of Toyota. The objective of this technique is to find the true explanation behind a certain problem in order to solve it at its roots and prevent it from occurring again in the future.

The 5 whys technique

- My car won't start (the problem)

1. Why? - Is out of battery

2. Why? - The alternator does not work

3. why? - Alternator belt has broken

4. Why? - The alternator belt has exceeded its useful life and I have not replaced it yet

5. Why? - I do not properly follow the vehicle maintenance instructions.

This method helps me to become aware that I am responsible for the problem before I start hurling insults at the dealer or the vehicle.

Normally when I reach the 5th level I get the real reason that caused the problem. Once here I could go deeper and end up wondering why I am a left or clueless person. Although from going so deep I could also fall into the error of blaming society, education or even my own parents.

Here is another (fictitious) example that could happen at my job:

- My boss is not happy with the catalogs I have created this year (the problem)

1. Why? - There have been several misspellings in the text

2. Why? - There has not been time to check them in depth

3. Why? - They had to be sent to the printer urgently

4. Why? - There was an urgent fair of which I had not been informed

5. Why? - I have not required from the beginning of the year a detailed calendar with all the dates of the fairs.

Once again I verify that the fault is mine again. I can fall for the easy excuse and blame the person who sent me the wrong texts or the lack of coordination between the people who manage attendance at fairs.

And surely they also have some fault. However, over time I have learned to become aware that in the face of any problem that arises around me, I always have the possibility of modifying something that prevents its occurrence in the future. And that is totally independent of who is responsible.

The first thing we do when a problem arises (mainly in the workplace) is try to find the saving alibi that exempts us from it.

We desperately search "the sent items tray " that confirmation e-mail that the client never received in order to justify ourselves to our boss. When we find him we experience the relief of the condemned man who has been acquitted in his final hour.

What if for a moment we did the exact opposite? That is to say, what if before any problem arises, we remove heaven and earth to find out what we could have done to avoid it? Like I said, it doesn't matter if it's your fault or not. Sure you could have done something to avoid it or at least minimize it.