Five whys

Looking for a method to solve problems more effectively?

Consider the Five whys technique: it’s used to discover the root causes of problems, simply by asking “why”.

At the top of the template, write down the problem or question you’d like to solve. Then, move to the first “why”. This is where you identify the immediate cause of your problem. Now, repeat the process, asking “why” again — each time delving a bit deeper. Eventually, you’ll reach the root cause of your problem, and you’ll be in a better place to tackle it.

Download this template to use it on your paper tablet.