MM 28 5W method

The 5W method, or 5 Why method, is a simple model from quality management designed to identify the source of a problem and ultimately determine how to fix it and who should fix it. The five Ws all represent one and the same question: "Why?" This practice originated in Toyota's quality management system and was used by Sakichi Toyoda himself. Today, it is an important component of comprehensive approaches such as Six Sigma.

The 5W method simply consists of asking more and more specific reasons for a problem in order to discover its root cause.

The 5W method remains a good method for quickly and easily identifying and resolving a problem. However, the approach is rarely used in practice because of its rigid formulation. Thus, the 5W is more of a reminder that the root cause of a problem must be thoroughly investigated, whereas today's greater employee responsibility makes it more likely that employees themselves will communicate and propose solutions. Nevertheless, the method has found its way into the many tools of the popular Six Sigma (M18) framework.

In the context of:

Q: Q01, Q15

E:

T: T03, T09