Have Kids? Then You’ve Been There.
You got a seemingly innocent question from your 5-year-old:
“Why is it like this and that?”
You gave a pretty solid answer — or so you thought.
But the 5-year-old followed up with another:
“Why?”
And then forgot to turn off the repeat button…
No matter what you say, you get another:
“Why?”
Until finally, the only escape is:
“Ask your mom!”
It starts off sweet — and ends with an irritated dad.
But your 5-year-old’s relentless “Why?” might just be your greatest asset when you’re facing a stubborn problem at work — the kind that keeps coming back no matter what you try.
Recurring problems have deeper roots
When a problem keeps returning after you’ve taken action, it’s often a sign that you haven’t addressed its deeper causes. You may have jumped to conclusions — solutions that seemed reasonable at the time — but that only treated the symptoms, not the real issue.
Rushing to action can cost you time, resources, and even reputation.
It’s smarter to get to the root of the problem before fixing what’s only on the surface.
So, what can we learn from a 5-year-old?
That persistent “Why?” is actually a powerful tool for problem-solving.
It’s the core of the 5 WHYs technique — a simple, effective method for drilling past the symptoms to reveal the root cause.
The method was developed in the 1930s by Japanese industrialist Sakichi Toyoda, founder of Toyota Industries. It gained popularity in the 1970s and is still used by Toyota today.
At its core, the 5 WHYs approach insists that decision-makers must understand the real-world drivers behind a problem. That means short distances between the boardroom and the shop floor.
We see the same thinking in LEAN business development — if you’re familiar with that. The best insights often come from those closest to the reality of the challenge.
How does it work?
It’s as simple — and frustrating — as a five-year-old’s game:
When a problem arises, you ask “Why?” five times in a row to dig down to the root cause.
Once you’ve uncovered the real cause, the right action becomes clear — and the problem doesn’t return.
You can use the 5 WHYs technique to troubleshoot, improve quality, or solve recurring issues. It’s best suited for simple to moderately complex problems.
Even simple problems can become complicated if we repeatedly make assumptions and treat symptoms instead of causes. That’s when the 5 WHYs can keep us on track.
Note: For more complex problems with multiple contributing factors, a Cause-and-Effect analysis (e.g. a Fishbone Diagram) may be more suitable.
Still, 5 WHYs is a great starting point — and even a useful check once you think you’ve found a solution.
If your plan doesn’t survive a round of 5 WHYs, it’s probably not ready.
So how do you actually use it?
Sure, you can test it out in a silly way by mimicking a five-year-old with your coworkers:
Just say “Why?” five times in a row.
But here’s a more structured 7-step process to make the technique truly effective:
1. Gather the Right People
Bring together those who know the details of the problem and the process you’re trying to improve.
Include a facilitator to keep the team focused on causes and practical countermeasures.
2. Agree on the Problem Statement
If possible, observe the problem in action.
Then discuss and define a clear problem statement everyone agrees on.
Write it in the center of a whiteboard (physical or digital), leaving room to map out each “Why?” around it.
3. Ask the First “Why?”
Why did the problem happen?
Sounds simple, but it’s not always easy to answer.
Insist on answers based on facts — what actually happened — not guesses or assumptions.
That helps prevent the wild-goose chase that happens when teams chase “false” causes.
Stick to real-world triggers, not hypotheticals.
At this point, don’t narrow down to just one cause.
List all plausible explanations next to the problem statement.
4. Ask “Why?” Four More Times
Now dig into each cause you identified in Step 3.
For each answer, ask “Why?” again — four more times.
Keep drilling deeper until you find the answer that makes the chain of “Why?” questions no longer make sense to continue.
By then, the true cause is usually clear — and so is the most effective action to take.
If after five WHYs you’re still lost in the woods, the problem may be more complex than this method can solve alone. That’s your cue to use a broader analysis tool.
Also, the number five is just a rule of thumb.
Sometimes you’ll hit the root cause after three WHYs.
Other times, it may take seven.
Be brutally honest with yourself:
Don’t stop too soon.
Don’t fake your way to a feel-good answer.
The discipline saves you time and money in the long run.
5. Identify the Root Cause(s)
Once you’ve drilled deep enough, identify the root cause(s) you’re confident in.
Then decide on an action that will address that root directly.
6. Take Action
Implement the countermeasure.
This step is where the solution finally gets legs.
7. Monitor and Adjust
Track how effective your solution is over time.
Did it eliminate the problem, or just minimize it?
If it wasn’t enough, you may need to repeat the process — or revisit your assumptions.
To recap: Key takeaways
- 5 WHYs is a simple but powerful tool for uncovering root causes.
- It’s best for recurring or moderately complex problems.
- Stick to real facts, not guesses or gut feelings.
- Use it to test assumptions, or to validate solutions before acting.
- Be persistent — but don’t be afraid to escalate to broader tools if needed.
So next time a problem just won’t go away, take a cue from your five-year-old:
Keep asking “Why?”
It might be annoying — but it might just save your project.
DREIESKIVA|Roald Kvam 
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