JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
The Five Whys Technique

Author
Serrat, Olivier
Abstract
{Excerpt} When confronted with a problem, have you ever stopped and asked “why” five times? If you do not ask the right question, you will not get the right answer. The Five Whys is a simple question asking technique that explores the cause-and-effect relationships underlying problems. For every effect there is a cause. But the results chain between the two is fairly long and becomes finer as one moves from inputs to activities, outputs, outcome, and impact. In results-based management, the degree of control one enjoys decreases higher up the chain and the challenge of monitoring and evaluating correspondingly increases. In due course, when a problem appears, the temptation is strong to blame others or external events. Yet, the root cause of problems often lies closer to home.
Date Issued
2009-02-01Subject
Asian Development Bank; ADB; poverty; economic growth; sustainability; development
Rights
Required Publisher Statement: This article was first published by the Asian Development Bank (www.adb.org).
Type
article