5 Whys (Root Cause Retrospective)

The 5 Whys game is a root cause analysis technique that uncovers the origin of a problem by asking the question 'Why?' five times in succession. Used in the context of an agile retrospective, it helps teams understand the real issues and implement sustainable solutions, thereby promoting continuous improvement.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction

   5 min

   The facilitator explains the objective of the session: 'We will use the 5 Whys method to identify the root cause of a problem we encountered recently.' They briefly recall the origin of the technique, which comes from Lean and Toyota, and its usefulness in problem-solving.

   Tip — Use a simple example to illustrate the concept before starting with the real problem.

2. 2

   Problem Identification

   10 min

   The facilitator asks participants to propose recent problems they wish to explore. Once the problem is selected by consensus, it is clearly written on a board visible to all. 'What is the problem we want to solve today?'

   Tip — Choose a specific and clearly defined problem to avoid overly broad discussions.

3. 3

   First Why

   5 min

   The facilitator asks the first question: 'Why did this problem occur?' Participants reflect and propose answers. The facilitator notes the response on the board, ensuring it is understood and accepted by all.

   Tip — Encourage factual responses and avoid assumptions.

4. 4

   Second to Fifth Why

   20 min

   The facilitator continues to ask the question 'Why?' for each given answer, until reaching the fifth level. Each response must be discussed and validated by the group before moving on to the next. 'Why did this cause occur?'

   Tip — Be flexible: sometimes, fewer than five whys are sufficient to reach a relevant root cause.

5. 5

   Summary and Solutions

   10 min

   Once the root cause is identified, the facilitator invites participants to propose solutions to prevent the problem from recurring. 'What can we put in place to prevent this problem in the future?'

   Tip — Encourage concrete and measurable solutions, and designate responsible individuals for their implementation.

6. 6

   Closure

   5 min

   The facilitator concludes the session by thanking participants for their contributions and summarising the agreed actions. They remind everyone of the importance of following up on these actions in future retrospectives.

   Tip — Plan a follow-up on actions in the next retrospective to maintain engagement.

Variants

• Use sticky notes for each participant to propose their own answers to the 'Whys?'.
• In small groups, each group explores a different problem and then shares their findings.
• Apply the method to a success to understand the factors behind that success.