Hi everyone so here i am with the second tool of the series “six sigma tools” and it is 5W2H method, beauty of this tool is it application is rather simple compared to common perception about six sigma methodology in general.

5W2H method also known as 5 why’s and 2 h’s and Why Tree is an idea generating tool and a process improvement tool, this is not a very technical tool and a simple form of root cause analysis, you need to ask ‘why’s’ repeatedly and go beneath layers of problem till you reach root cause of problem.

Tool Description  

5W2H stands for what, why, where , who, when, how and how much, it is a structured idea generating tool where specific set of questions are asked regarding problem in hand.

This method was originally developed by Sakichi Toyoda who is an industrialist and inventor and known as one of fathers of ‘Japanese Industrial Revolution’, this technique was initially developed for automobile industry and was first used in Toyota Manufacturing Methodologies and is part of Toyota Production system (TPS) training.

The 5 Why’s make the cause of the problem clear so that corrective and preventive actions can be implemented. Though initially developed for automobile industry but now its use is widespread and is used in varied sectors and is used in Trouble shooting, Quality Improvement , Problem Solving, it is associated with lean manufacturing where it is used to identify and eliminate waste from processes and in six sigma for root cause analysis.

Lets go in further detail and check various elements of this tool.

What – Here we are looking at the activity part of the problem, we try to answer what is the problem?

Why – Here team tries to look for the purpose, such as “Why is it a problem?”

Where – This brings in the Place factor, team tries to find where do we encounter the problem or where the process is performed.

Who – This brings in the people factor i.e who is involved in the process or who is impacted or who do we need to involve ?

When – This brings in the time factor such as when did we first encounter the problem or when to activate the project etc.

How – This is the Method Part of the process, such as how do we know there was a problem.

How Much – This brings in the Cost or Frequency factor such as how often we encounter the problem?

To get details about associated tools, its application and other details check out my video lecture, CLICK HERE.