Cause and Effect Analysis Toolkit

Cause and Effect Analysis Toolkit

12-15 minutes

Cause and effect is a relationship between events or things, where one is the result of the other or others. This is a combination of action and reaction. A cause-and-effect analysis generates and sorts hypotheses about possible causes of problems within a process by asking participants to list all of the possible causes and effects for the identified problem.

5 Whys

The 5 Whys is a simple tool used to help you understand what’s causing a problem by using an iterative interrogative technique to explore the root cause underlying a particular problem. As the name suggested, 5 Whys takes five iterations of asking “Why” to drill down from one symptom to another until you reached the root cause (Sometimes asking “Why?” five times is too many, and sometimes you need to ask it more than five times). Use the 5 Whys when you want a simple way to dig for a deeper understanding of the root cause of a problem, so you can better address it.

• It’s easy.
• It doesn’t require high-tech or complicated tools.
• It can be done relatively quickly.
• It can foster teamwork and a common understanding of a problem.

Edit this diagram template

5 Whys Example – Machine Failure

A machine suddenly stopped, then follow this clue to follow a series of step-by-step pressing questions:

Q: “ Why doesn’t the machine turn?”

Answer: “Because the fuse is broken.”

Q: “ Why does the fuse break?”

Answer: “The current is too high due to overload.”

Q: “ Why is it overloaded?”

Answer: “Because the bearings are not lubricious enough.”

Q: “ Why are the bearings not lubricating enough? ”

Answer: “Because the oil pump cannot suck the lubricant. ”

Q: “ Why can’t the oil pump suck up the lubricant? ”

Answer: “Because the oil pump will cause severe wear and tear. ”

Q: “ Why does the oil pump cause severe wear? ”

Answer: “Iron dust was mixed in because the oil pump was not equipped with a filter. ”

After asking this, the water came out, and the final cause was found!

5 WHYS Root Cause Analysis Example – Car Won’t Start

Edit this 5-Whys example

5W1H

The 5W1H analysis is a method of thinking that has been widely used in business management, daily work life, and learning. It was extended from the “5W analysis” proposed by American political scientist Harold Lass well and was first used for the management of production projects in enterprises.

5W + 1H proposes Problem ( What ), reasons ( Why ), place ( Where ), time ( When ),personnel ( Who ), Method ( how) to help thinking and analysis. Let’s first see how the5W1H analysis method is used in enterprise production, and then I will give two examples related to personal development.