Using 5 Why analysis define the real problem?

5 Why analysis is a problem-solving technique that involves asking "why" multiple times to uncover the root cause of a problem. By repeatedly asking "why," you can dig deeper into the issue and identify the underlying cause.

For example, let's say the problem is that a project deadline was missed:

1. Why was the project deadline missed?
- Because the team did not complete their tasks on time.

2. Why did the team not complete their tasks on time?
- Because they were overloaded with other projects.

3. Why were they overloaded with other projects?
- Because the company did not prioritize tasks effectively.

4. Why did the company not prioritize tasks effectively?
- Because there was a lack of communication between departments.

5. Why was there a lack of communication between departments?
- Because there was no clear project management system in place.

By asking "why" five times, we have identified the root cause of the missed project deadline: the lack of a clear project management system. This allows us to define the real problem and develop a solution to address it.