1
Abstract
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a tool used in problem-solving and decision-making processes. This paper examines an
evolutionary approach to RCA, referred to as “The Many Whys,". We focus on the methodology of this new
approach, and its advantages over an existing method, “The 5 Whys”
2
Introduction
In today's complex and fast-paced world, effectively identifying and addressing the root causes of problems
is a crucial aspect of decision-making processes. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) has traditionally been a valuable
tool in this regard. However, conventional RCA methods often fall short when dealing with multifaceted issues,
leaving room for improved problem-solving approaches.
2.1
Background on root causes analysis
graph TB
AP[Apparent Problem]
S1[Symptom of problem]
S2[Symptom of problem]
S3[Symptom of problem]
PRC1_1[Possible root cause]
PRC1_2[Possible root cause]
PRC2_1[Possible root cause]
ARC[Actual Root cause]
PRC3_1[Possible root cause]
PRC3_2[Possible root cause]
AP-->S1
AP-->S2
AP-->S3
S1-->PRC1_1
S1-->PRC1_2
S2-->PRC2_1
PRC2_1-->ARC
S3-->PRC3_1
S3-->PRC3_2
A root cause analysis attempts to find the underlying cause of a problem, that if resolved would be the most
effective solution the
problem or issue. It avoids immediately attempting to solve the problem and digs deeper.
Effective problem-solving tends to follow a lorentzian distribution, such that resolving proximiate causes tend
to be ineffective at solving the problem. Whereas, accurate identification of the root cause tends to be very
effective at resolving the problem. Finally, distant causes whilst they objectively may be the ultimate cause as
to why a problem
exists - such as the fact that the big-bang occured - are ineffective in resolving that problem.
3
Problem
The underlying problem is the limitation of traditional RCA methods, such as the "Five Whys", in
addressing complex issues with multiple causes and diverse branching problems. These methods tend to
oversimplify problems and often assume linear and singular causality, leading to incomplete understanding and
ineffective solutions. This problem impacts a wide range of industries and sectors, affecting decision-makers
who rely on RCA to solve critical issues.
3.1
The problem with '5 Whys'
The five whys is a technique that asks the question “why” 5 or more times.
graph TB
A[Problem: Our client is refusing to pay for leaflets we printed for him] --> B{Why?}
B -->|The delivery was late, so the leaflets couldn't be used| C{Why?}
C -->|The job took longer than expected| D{Why?}
D -->|We ran out of printer ink| E{Why?}
E -->|The ink was all used on a large last-minute order| F{Why?}
F -->|Root cause: We didn't have enough ink in stock, and couldn't order new supplies in time| G[Root Cause]
Whilst the 5 Whys is easy to implement without supervision it has many cons
- 5 Whys may oversimplify complex problems by often only considering a single root cause
- Assumes linear causality: The 5 Whys method assumes that problems have linear and singular causes, whereas
many issues may have multiple contributing factors and complex relationships between them, that may prevent
one from reaching the final cause.
- Inadequate exploration of branching-related problems: The 5 Whys method does not inherently accommodate the
exploration of branching questions that may arise from initial answers. As a result, critical aspects of the
problem may remain hidden, as problems are skipped over, leading to an incomplete understanding of the issue
- The 5 Whys can often stop short of a comprehensive analysis, as stopping at the fifth "why" may
not always reveal the true root cause. Even though you don’t need to stop at the fifth why, the naming of
the method often constraints. Some problems may require more or fewer "whys" to reach the
underlying cause (Dekker, S. (2006). The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error. CRC Press).
- Limitations due to simplistic questioning: The 5 Whys technique relies on asking the simple question
"why," which may not always be sufficient to explore complex problems. The technique may require
clarification or additional probing questions to yield meaningful insights (Kepner, C. H., & Tregoe, B.
B. (1965). The rational manager: A systematic approach to problem solving and decision making. New York:
McGraw-Hill).
4
Proposed solution
This paper introduces the "Many Whys" approach, a evolutionary RCA method developed through consulting
practices. This approach enhances the traditional "Five Whys" method by incorporating additional
questions into the process.
The "Many Whys" approach allows for a more comprehensive exploration of problem branches and ensures
clarity within the team. The process includes asking "Why?" to attempt to identify the root cause.
However, the addition of additional questions uncovers potentially undiscovered answers, enabling multiple
avenues of investigation.
Evidence from the application of this approach suggests that it facilitates a more profound and broader
understanding of problems, especially those with multiple causes. It also promotes team engagement and
understanding, thus enhancing the overall effectiveness of the problem-solving process.
4.1
How it works
The process
1) Ask “why?” - General why
2) Ask “why does {cause} create {effect}?” (a why chain) - to chain the whys in a cause an effect chain
3) Ask “what else?” zero or more times - to branch the solution
4.1.1
The why chain
\begin{equation}Cause + Effect = \text{Why Question}\end{equation}
The why chain, directly links cause and effect together. It asks why was the cause created in reference to the
previous cause.
e.g. Our code base keeps getting rewritten (Cp) → People keep leaving the team (C)
why does “People leaving the team” cause “Our code base to keep getting rewritten”?
graph TB
AP[Apparent Problem]
P1[Problem 1]
P1_1[Problem 1.1]
P1_2[Problem 1.2]
P1_2_1[Problem 1.2.1]
P2[Problem 2]
P2_1[Problem 2.1]
P2_2[Problem 2.2]
P2_1_1[Problem 2.1.1]
RC[Root cause]
P2_3[Problem 2.3]
P3[Problem 3]
P3_1[Problem 3.1]
P3_2[Problem 3.2]
AP-->|"Question: Why?"|P1
P1-->|"Question: Why?"|P1_1
P1-->|"Question: Why does problem 1 cause apparent problem?"|P1_2
P1_2-->|"Question: Why does problem 1 cause problem 1.2?"|P1_2_1
AP-->|"Question: What else?"|P2
P2-->|"Question: Why?"|P2_1
P2-->|"Question: Why does problem 2 cause apparent problem?"|P2_2
P2_2-->|"Question: Why?"|P2_1_1
P2_2-->|"Question: Why does problem 2.2 cause problem 2?"|RC
P2-->|"Question: What else?"|P2_3
AP-->|"Question: What else?"|P3
P3-->|"Question: Why?"|P3_1
P3-->|"Question: Why does problem 3 cause apparent problem?"|P3_2
5
Vodel
Visual model of the Many Whys process + domain