5 whys root cause analysis template

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Use the 5 whys root cause analysis template and explore the cause-and-effect relationships at the base of a particular problem.

Briefly describe the problem or the challenge you want to investigate.

Think of the results or effects of your problem, would they be positive or negative?

Reach the origin of your problem by asking 'Why?' and describe the situation as open and frank as you can. Keep asking 'Why' until you find out the drivers and conditions that led to the situation you want to sort out.

Review your notes and think if you can fix or eliminate some of the triggers and solve the problem.

Where to next?

Where to next?

• Review all the symptoms. Is this a complete set? Are they all caused by the same problem?
• Clarify the causes to make sure they are explicit.
• Do the causes actually affect each other in the order shown in your map?
• Do some of the root causes appear more than once?
• If you can fix or eliminate the root causes, does that actually solve the problem?

Good luck with your investigation!

Key problem or scenario

What is the key problem or scenario you are trying to identify?

Type in a short statement that summarizes it.

Causes

Reach the root causes of your problem, by asking Why?

When answering, try to explicitly describe a situation rather than just using keywords.

To add sub causes press TAB.

Cause

What are the causes of your problem?

What conditions, events or triggers are needed?

Symptoms

Type in the consequences or effects of your problem.

Click an icon to mark this as a positive or negative effect:

Symptom