The Five Whys - A Simple Way to Solve Problems

Have you ever been interviewed by a major publication? Or maybe you’ve been queried by a ten year old doing a school project. Regardless, there is an art and science to asking questions.

The way a question is asked can determine many things besides the quality and quantity of information given. Not only can it open or close a conversation, but it can also help to build or tear down a relationship. 

​The goal of asking questions is obviously getting answers. To this end, the questioner can decide how far to probe. If surface information is what is sought, it can be garnered pretty easily.
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Sometimes, though, we need more than surface information. We already know that beginning a question with ‘why’ is a step up from starting with ‘who’ or ‘what’. The answer will likely be deeper, more nuanced, and more thoughtful. Going a step further to employ ‘The Five Whys’ (aka 5Y) strategy, though, will get at the core of the issue.

A Strategy From the 1930’s

Developed in the 1930’s by Sakichi Toyoda, the Japanese industrialist and founder of Toyota Industries, this technique is still popular. In fact, Toyota Industries continues to use ‘The Five Whys’ to solve problems  today. Toyota has a reputation for solving problems not in the boardroom, but on the shop floor.

When To Use 5Y

This strategy is excellent for drilling down into problems ranging from the simple to the complex. When a student is struggling, or a system isn’t working, 5Y can typically provide a relatively quick and simple solution.

How to Use 5Y

This technique is prevalent throughout the business world, but can streamline the problems solving process in education and life, as well. Typically, a team approach is used. This may or may not fit every situation, but one or two heads is usually better than one.

Step one is to define the problem - obviously the student is a major player in this discussion, and his buy-in is essential.

Once the problem has been identified, the ‘whys’ begin. Here is an example:

Tom, a fifth grader, isn’t having a great day. When it was time for the reading group, he was unprepared. Now he’s lost points and is misbehaving as a result of losing face with peers.

Problem: Tom isn’t prepared for his reading group- he hasn’t done the reading or the assignment.

Why?    He left his book at school.

Why?     He didn’t put the homework in his planner. 

Why?    He was distracted when it was time to pack up for the day.

Why?    His friends were goofing around with him and he joined in.

Okay - so this is the essential reason - Tom is disorganized. The solution to this problem might be any of the following:

• All students remain seated filling out planners until the bell rings
  
• Tom must show his planner to the teacher prior to leaving class at the end of the day
  
• All students must fill out planners prior to gym class, which is the last class of the day
  

By talking with Tom and landing on a solution, this problem can conceivably never recur.

The 5Y is a simple, straightforward, solution-oriented technique that is flexible enough to address nearly any problem, whether it occurs in a Fortune 500 company, a middle school, or even the family room at home.

About My Guest Blogger

Hi there! I am Becky, a twenty-seven year veteran teacher and reading specialist! I have experience K - 5, and have been teaching fifth for a while now.
​As a mom of three (mostly) grown children, I know how tricky the juggling act can be. I love spending my days learning along with my students!