Which statement best describes the Five Whys technique?

• A. It uses repeated 'why' questions to move from symptom to root cause
• B. It requires extensive data analysis
• C. It focuses on blaming individuals
• D. It stops after the first identified cause

Answer: (A)

The Five Whys is a simple root-cause analysis approach that uses repeated why questions to move from symptom to root cause. By continually asking why and using each answer as the next question’s starting point, you peel back layers of cause-and-effect to reach the underlying problem, rather than stopping at the first or most obvious explanation. This keeps the focus on processes and systems rather than assigning blame to people, and it’s typically lightweight—extensive data analysis isn’t a prerequisite. You don’t stop after the first identified cause; you keep digging until you arrive at a fundamental cause or determine that further questioning isn’t productive.