Getting to the Root of a Problem Using the 5 Whys Technique
As Instructional Designers, we’re presented with many problems that need tackling. Perhaps a client comes to us with an issue they want to use training to solve, and as Instructional Designers, we have to determine the right approach. A Subject Matter Expert may struggle to keep up with deadlines, impacting the project timeline. Maybe a new internal workflow process isn’t being adapted by other team members as well as predicted? To solve these various problems, it is useful to first get to the root of the problem and then figure out the next steps for a solution. We can use the 5 Whys Technique to help us do this.
What are the 5 Whys?
The 5 Whys is a problem-solving technique used to get to the root cause of an issue and can be used to tackle problems in our professional and personal lives. It involves identifying a problem and asking ‘Why?’ the problem happens five times until the root cause is revealed.
Using the 5 Whys to Tackle a Problem
Step 1: Write down a problem statement. In other words, identify the issue at hand in a sentence.
Step 2: Ask ‘Why?’ this problem is happening. Record your response.
Step 3: Reflect on the response you just wrote down to your first ‘Why?’ question. Based on this new response, ask ‘Why?’ again. Write down your new answer.
Step 4: Continue generating another ‘Why?’ question for each answer you come up with until you have five ‘Why?’ questions and responses.
Step 5: Your fifth and final ‘Why?’ answer should reveal the root cause of the issue. At this point, knowing the root cause, you can determine the next steps for creating a solution.
Example of Using the 5 Whys to Tackle an Instructional Design Problem
Problem Statement: An SME continues to deliver material to you late.
- Why is the SME delivering material late? Answer: Because they are very busy.
- Why is the SME very busy? Answer: Because they are overloaded with a lot of projects.
- Why is the SME overloaded with many projects? Answer: Because the SME is in demand.
- Why is the SME in demand? Answer: Because the department the SME works in is lacking in resources.
- Why does the department the SME works in lack resources? Answer: Because the department in which the SME works is hiring new staff, and the current SME is carrying most of the workload for now.
In this case, when we get to our final answer, we see that there are circumstances that are impacting the SME’s ability to deliver content promptly. Based on this, the Instructional Designer can begin to come up with the next steps to solve this problem.
The next time you have an issue that needs addressing, consider using the 5 Whys Technique!
Do you have any tools you use to help you solve problems? Please feel free to share!
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