Let's spend five minutes to look at a problem solved by 5 Whys and use a Risk matrix to confirm that the appropriate level of effort has been taken.

The scenario

The operators on the packaging line at the Acme Manufacturing plant lost several minutes of production over their shift due to the box folding machine shutting down. They carry out a 5 Why to understand the problem.

Click here to see their 5 Why

After they complete their 5 Why they review their Risk Matrix to confirm that they have taken the appropriate path. The Risk Matrix shows that the consequences of making a mistake are low so that effort they have placed on solving the problem is appropriate. In the worst case, if their 5 Why did not reveal all aspects of the problem, then costs associated with further breakdowns would be small and they would have new information to rework their 5 Why.

Click here to see the Risk Matrix.

Comments

We will find that in this case, because of the nature of the problem, the 5 Why analysis is adequate.

Click here to see an example where a 5 Why alone would not have been appropriate and how a more thorough RCA Rt investigation is sometimes justified.