Strategy tools we love: 5 Whys – root cause analysis tool

Claire Bridges — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 09:10:40 +0000

The 5 Whys technique is a deceptively simple and effective brainstorming tool for root cause analysis. Here’s how to use it…

Problems often arise in teams when trying to agree and decide what the problem actually is!

As the founder of modern management, the legendary Peter Drucker, once warned,

“The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong questions.”

Strategy tools can help. Using the 5 Whys, for example, will help you find the root cause of any problem by asking the same question five times.

The origins of the 5 Whys

The 5 Whys method is part of the Toyota Production System and was developed by Sakichi Toyoda, a Japanese inventor and industrialist.

“The basis of Toyota’s scientific approach is to ask why five times whenever we find a problem … By repeating why five times, the nature of the problem as well as its solution becomes clear.“ Taiichi Ohno

One of the key factors for successful implementation of the technique is to make an informed decision. This means that the decision-making process should be based on an insightful understanding of what is actually happening in your context.

There are lots of useful free templates out there to help you with the process. MIRO has this free template where you can collaborate with team members

What does a 5 Whys look like in action?

Let’s say you’re trying to ship an app that your team has been working on. You were prepared to ship on time, but you were two days late. Here’s how you might use the 5 Whys to uncover the reason that happened and how you can avoid delays in the future.

Step 1: Start with the broadest possible question, then try to answer it. Why was the app late? It was late because there was a production delay.

Step 2: Based on this answer, you can narrow the question slightly. Why was there a production delay? There was a production delay because the engineering team had to deploy a last-minute patch, which the product team did not know about until launch day.

Step 3: Narrow the question even further, and then answer it. Why didn’t the product team know about the patch? The product team didn’t know about the patch because engineering didn’t communicate it to them.

Step 4: Keep narrowing and answering the question. Why didn’t the engineering team communicate to the product team? The engineering team didn’t communicate to the product team because they did not know how to communicate that information.

Step 5: Ask the question one last time to zero in on your solution. Why didn’t the engineering team know how to communicate to the product team? The engineering team didn’t know how to communicate to the product team because the product team has no clear point of contact or processes for communication.

You can also check out this great MURAL 5 Whys workshop template.

It’s a great strategy tool if you give it a try – do let us know how you get on! We teach tools like this on our How To Be A Strategy Ninja workshops – email us for details.

The post Strategy tools we love: 5 Whys – root cause analysis tool first appeared on Now Go Create.

The best strategy tools to try: Evidence Planning

Mike Peake — Wed, 15 May 2019 15:02:33 +0000

Our monthly look at the tools you can try when in search of your next big idea looks at NESTA’s Evidence Planning tool, which helps you make sure your problem really exists.

What is it?

The Evidence Planning tool is one created by the National Endowment for Society, Technology and the Arts – NESTA – the innovation foundation. They describe it as:

“A quick way to help articulate and improve what you are trying to accomplish, especially designed for practitioners to invent, adopt or adapt ideas that can deliver better results.“

What is it for?

Let’s say you’re interested in “improving brand awareness” – this tool will help you to work out exactly why you want to do that and provide you with clear evidence that you want to proceed… or not, in some cases (mass brand awareness may kill a boutique vibe, for example).

How does it work?

You start off in the middle by writing down your key focus. Then you look at the four quadrants to see how that key focus will enhance, replace, re-use or limit what you do. You’re encouraged to think of the questions not just in micro terms, but from the point of view of the wider world.

Who is it for?

Anyone who thinks they have a problem that needs solving, and needs to make sure that they really do. In many cases the tool will give them the validation they need – and will provide a variety of areas on which it would make sense to focus.

If we stick with “improving brand awareness”, for example, the tool might lead to thoughts about how commitment to this path would need you to shake off past values or invest in new talent.

How long does it take?

How long is a piece of string? On a major project, this could help inform the background thinking for weeks – but it could equally help you to approve/kill ideas in a very short time.

Difficulty rating

1/5. Simple and effective.

Why we love it

Due to time pressures we sometimes don’t spend enough time validating what we perceive to be the problem and poking around a bit. Before throwing everything but the kitchen sink at fixing something, the Evidence Planning tool gives you a clear picture of whether or not it needs fixing in the first place.

Pay particular attention, then, to that bottom right-hand quadrant!

If you’re interested in hands-on practice in creativity tools and techniques join our next Open Creative Ninjas training or Creative Strategy Training or book one for your in-house team. Contact lucy@nowgocrate.co.uk

The post The best strategy tools to try: Evidence Planning first appeared on Now Go Create.

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