Many of you trainers may be engaged in conducting workshops/seminars on topics like “problem solving”, “root cause analysis”, “cause and effect relationship”, “quality circles”, “quality circle tools”, “total quality management (TQM)”, “total productive maintenance (TPM)”, “six sigma'” etc. In that case you must be including a session on “why why (5 whys) analysis in your training programs. Here is an exercise that you can give your participants to help them understand the concept/process of this technique and to get hands on experience in application of the technique.
After you have given your participants the theoretical exposure of why why (5 whys) technique, explain the technique more clearly by citing a practical example. We are giving below one example as a ready reference for you (or you can use any other example that you have):
The problem for which you want to find its root cause and solution (by use of why why analysis) is that your car stops on the road unexpectedly. And then you start applying the technique in the following manner.
1. Why did your car stop? (first why)
- Because it ran out of gas.
2. Why did it run out of gas? (second why)
- Because I didn't buy any gas (petrol) on my way to work.
3. Why didn't you buy any gas this morning? (third why)
- Because I didn't have any money.
4. Why didn't you have any money? (fourth why)
- Because I over-spent all the money I had on buying many things without any thinking. 5. Why did you do so? Why did you over-spent the money on other items? (fifth why)
- I spent money recklessly on them without any planning. I did not control.
The solution to the problem is making of a monthly budget and controlling the actual expenses as per the plan by periodic review.
After citing such an example on why why technique, make few sub-groups of your participants by randomly selecting 5 to 6 persons in each sub-group. Give each sub-group a few problems to solve. They should work together. Tell them that they should apply 5 why technique to find out the root cause of each problem and the solution.
A few problems are suggested below as ready reckoners (or you can use the problems as decided or thought of by you):
Ask each sub-group to work on these problems by mutual discussions between its members. Arrange for presentations by them on their findings.
Share your observations on how well they applied why why technique in finding the root causes of the problems and solving them. Wrap up the session by giving additional theoretical inputs if necessary.
You can order the following books on "management games and icebreakers" as printed books and eBooks from Amazon online:
Additional Reading Opportunities
Alphabetic List of of Management Topics and Their Site URLs
(The term "management" here does not limit itself to just about business management but it encompasses management of all kinds of things like life management, home management, family management, health management, travel management, food management and so on).
Home Pages for All the Topics
1. (Home Pages for Brief Introduction to All the
Business Management Topics)
http://management-universe.blogspot.com/,
http://management-universe-enotes.blogspot.com/ and
http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com
2. (Home Page for All General and Psychological Counseling)
http://counselingfamily.blogspot.com/
3. (Home Page for All Home Tips:
Home and Family Management)
http://home-tips-tricks.blogspot.com/
4. (Home Page for All Products:
Products Knowledge Management)
http://products-all.blogspot.com/
Topics Starting with Numbers
(5S Housekeeping)
http://5s-housekeeping.blogspot.com/
(5S Housekeeping at Home:
Home Management)
http://5s-housekeeping-home.blogspot.com/
Topics Starting with Alphabets
A
(ABC Analysis or Pareto Analysis or 80/20 Rule)
http://abc-pareto-analysis.blogspot.com/ or
http://shyam.bhatawdekar.net/index.php/2011/07/20/abc-analysis-or-pareto-analysis/
(Activity Based Costing- ABC)
http://activitybased-costing.blogspot.com/
(Advertising)
http://advertising-mass-communication.blogspot.com/
(Anecdotes in Management)
http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/
(Anger Management)
http://controlling-anger.blogspot.com/
(Articles, blogs and knols of Shyam Bhatawdekar: Home Page)
http://writings-of-shyam.blogspot.com/
(Assertiveness)
http://assertiveness-skill.blogspot.com/
(Assessment Centers)
http://assessment-centers.blogspot.com/
(Authentic and Free Management Notes)
http://authentic-management-notes.blogspot.com/
(A to Z of Management Systems)
http://a-z-management-systems.blogspot.com/
(A to Z of Quality Techniques)
http://a-z-quality-techniques.blogspot.com/
B
(Balanced Scorecard)
http://balanced-scorecard-system.blogspot.com/
(Basic Statistics)
http://statistics-basic.blogspot.com/
(Behavioral Safety)
http://behavioral-safety.blogspot.com/
(Benchmarking)
http://benchmarking-system.blogspot.com/
(Body Language or Non-verbal Communication)
http://body-language-communication.blogspot.com/
(Books- Best Books)
http://best-book-list.blogspot.com/
(Books- Best Management Books)
http://best-management-books.blogspot.com/
(
Boundaryless)
http://shyambhatawdekar.blogspot.com/
(Brainstorming)
http://brainstorming-technique.blogspot.com/
(Branding- Personal/Professional Branding
http://professional-branding.blogspot.com/ or http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/
(Business Ethics and Ethics in Management)
http://business-management-ethics.blogspot.com/
(Business Plan)
http://business-plan-preparation.blogspot.com/
(Business Process
Reengineering-
BPR)
http://business-process-reengineering-bpr.blogspot.com/
C
(Career Planning within Organizations) http://organizational-career-planning.blogspot.com/
(Case Method) http://case-method.blogspot.com/
(Case Studies in Management)
http://corporate-case-studies.blogspot.com/
(CEO Roles, Qualities and Competencies)
http://ceo-qualities.blogspot.com/
(Change Management)
http://manage-change.blogspot.com/
(Child Development:
Stories for Children)
http://stories-children.blogspot.com/
(Children’s Behavior Problems:
Family Management)
http://child-behavior-problems.blogspot.com/
(Coaching)
http://coaching-skill.blogspot.com/
(Communication)
http://communication-for-business.blogspot.com/
(Competencies-
Life Management)
http://shyam-bhatawdekar.blogspot.com/
(Competency Matrix/Competency Mapping: Success by Building Competencies/Skills)
http://competency-matrix-mapping.blogspot.in/
(Competency Mapping)
http://competency-map.blogspot.com/
(Competency Matrix)
http://competency-matrix.blogspot.com/
(Conflict Management)
http://manage-conflict.blogspot.com/
(Corporate Governance)
http://corporate-governance-policy.blogspot.com/
(Cost Management)
http://cost-management-control.blogspot.com/
(Cost of Quality-
COQ)
http://cost-of-quality.blogspot.com/
(Counseling at Workplace)
http://counseling-skill.blogspot.com/
(Counseling: Psychological)
http://counselingfamily.blogspot.com/
(Creativity-
Out of Box Articles)
http://wow-idea.blogspot.com/
(Creativity and Innovation)
http://creativity-management.blogspot.com/
(Critical Thinking skills)
http://critical-thinking-skills.blogspot.com/
(Cross Cultural Etiquette and Manners)
http://cross-cultural-etiquette.blogspot.com/
(Customer Orientation)
http://customer-orientation.blogspot.com/
(Customer Relationship management-
CRM)
http://customer-relationship-crm.blogspot.com/
D
(Daily Management)
http://daily-management.blogspot.com/
(Decision Making)
http://decision-making-role.blogspot.com/
(Delegation)
http://delegation-skill.blogspot.com/
E
(Effectiveness and Efficiency)
http://effectiveness-efficiency.blogspot.com/
(Effectiveness Management:
HSoftware)
http://humansoftware.blogspot.com/
(Efficiency Techniques: Work study: Motion and Time Study)
http://work-study-measurement.blogspot.com/
(Efficient Work Methods or Practices)
http://efficient-work-methods.blogspot.com/
(Email Etiquette)
http://email-etiquette-manners.blogspot.com/
(Emotions)
http://emotion-feeling.blogspot.com/
(Emotional Intelligence)
http://emotional-quotient-intelligence.blogspot.com/
(Empowerment)
http://employee-empowerment.blogspot.com/
(Enterprise Resource Planning-
ERP)
http://erp-management.blogspot.com/
(Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur)
http://entrepreneurship-entrepreneur.blogspot.com/
(Entertainment Management-
English Movies)
http://popular-movies.blogspot.com/
(Entertainment Management-
Hindi Movies)
http://hindi-movies-choice.blogspot.com/
(Executive Etiquette and Manners)
http://executive-manners.blogspot.com/
(Exit Interview)
http://exit-interview.blogspot.com/
F
(Financial Ratios and Financial Ratio Analysis) http://financial-ratios.blogspot.com/
(Financial Services)
http://finance-related-services.blogspot.com/
(Free and Authentic Notes on Management)
http://authentic-management-notes.blogspot.com/
(Functions of Management)
http://functions-of-management.blogspot.com/
(Food Management:
Recipes, Easy to Cook)
http://easytocook-recipes.blogspot.com/
(Food Management:
Recipes, Exotic) http://tastetherecipes.blogspot.com/
G
(Games and Icebreakers for Trainers) http://training-games.blogspot.com/
(
Gemba Kaizen)
http://gemba-kaizen-improvement.blogspot.com/
(General Knowledge Management-
GK)
http://general-knowledge-gk.blogspot.com/
(General Knowledge Management-
Top 5/Top 10 of Everything)
http://top-five-everything.blogspot.com/
(Genuine Professional-
Long Article)
http://professional-genuine.blogspot.in/
(Global Mindset)
http://global-mindset.blogspot.com/
(Goal/Target Setting)
http://goal-target-setting.blogspot.com/
(Good Boss)
http://good-boss.blogspot.com/
(Great Professional)
http://professional-genuine.blogspot.in/
(Group Discussion)
http://group-discussion-gd.blogspot.com/
(Group Discussion for Job Seekers and Students)
http://group-discussion-gd.blogspot.com/
(Group Dynamics)
http://group-dynamics-process.blogspot.com/
H
(Health and Safety Management) http://safety-health-management.blogspot.com/
(Health Management-
Cholesterol Control)
http://controlling-cholesterol.blogspot.com/
(Health Management-
Homeopathy)
http://homeopathy-medicines.blogspot.com/
(Health Management-
Exercises)
http://exercises-plan.blogspot.com/
(Health Management-
Quit Smoking)
http://quit-smoking-plan.blogspot.com/
(Health management-
Swine Flu and Its Prevention)
http://swine-flu-precaution.blogspot.com/
(Health Management-
Walking)
http://walking-plan.blogspot.com/
(How to Be a Good Boss?)
http://good-boss.blogspot.com/
(How to Get Promoted?)
http://get-promoted.blogspot.com/
(How to Save Money?)
http://save-money-ideas.blogspot.com/
(How to Save Money?- Long Comprehensive Article)
http://manage-moneysaving.blogspot.in/
(Home Management-
Home Page for All Home Tips)
http://home-tips-tricks.blogspot.com/
(HR Dynamics)
http://hrm-dynamics.blogspot.com/
(HR Strategies and Functions)
http://strategic-functions-hrm.blogspot.com/
(Human Capital Architecture)
http://human-capital-architecture.blogspot.com/
(Human Relations)
http://human-relations-aspect.blogspot.com/
(Human Resource Management- Comprehensive Coverage of HRM)
http://human-resource-management-hrm.blogspot.com/
(Human Resource Planning)
http://human-resource-planning.blogspot.com/
(Human Software- HSoftware)
http://human-software-hsoftware.blogspot.com/
I
(I Am Liberated- Life Management) http://i-am-liberated.blogspot.in/
(I Am OK, You Are OK) http://life-positions.blogspot.com/
(Icebreakers and Energizers) http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/
(Internal Motivation or Self Motivation)
http://internal-motivation.blogspot.com/
(Interpersonal Relations)
http://interpersonal-relations.blogspot.com/
(Interview Skills)
http://interviewing-skill.blogspot.com/
(Interview Preparation for Job Seekers)
http://interview-preparation-jobs.blogspot.com/
(Interview Questions)
http://interview-question-bank.blogspot.com/
J
(Johari Window) http://johari-window-model.blogspot.com/
(Just in Time Management-
JIT)
http://just-in-time-management.blogspot.com/
K
(
Kaizen)
http://kaizen-improvement.blogspot.com/
(Knowledge Management)
http://knowledge-management-initiative.blogspot.com/
L
(Lead Time Management)
http://lead-time-management.blogspot.com/
(Leadership)
http://lead-max.blogspot.com/ and
http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com
(Lean Enterprise)
http://lean-organization.blogspot.com/
(Learning Organization)
http://learning-organization-profile.blogspot.com/
(Life Management- Latest
HSoftware Model)
http://life-effectiveness.blogspot.in/
(Life Management- I Am Liberated; Freedom from Shackles and Burdens)
http://i-am-liberated.blogspot.in/
(Life Management: Success in Life)
http://success-complete.blogspot.in/
(Life Management: My Exotic Dream: World Peace and Other Good Things of Life)
(Life Positions and OKness)
http://life-positions.blogspot.com/
(Life Skills)
http://life-skills-competencies.blogspot.com/
(Listening)
http://listen-skills.blogspot.com/
M
(Management Anecdotes)
http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/
(Managenent Books- Best Books)
http://best-book-list.blogspot.com/
(Management Book- Best Books)
http://best-management-books.blogspot.com/
(Management Games, Management Exercises, Icebreakers and Energizers)
http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/
(Managing Life- Freedom from Shackles and Burdens)
http://i-am-liberated.blogspot.in/
(Management in Life, Profession, Family and Society)
http://life-effectiveness.blogspot.in/
(Management Information System-
MIS)
http://management-information-system-mis.blogspot.com/
(Managing/conducting Meetings)
http://managing-meetings.blogspot.com/
(Management Notes- Free and Authentic)
http://authentic-management-notes.blogspot.com/
(Marginal Utility)
http://marginal-utility-concept.blogspot.com/
(Marketing Management Overview)
http://marketing-management-overview.blogspot.com/
(Marketing Orientation)
http://marketing-orientation.blogspot.com/
(Marketing Management Tasks)
http://marketing-management-tasks.blogspot.com/
(Market research)
http://market-research-function.blogspot.com/
(Market Segmentation)
http://market-segment.blogspot.com/
(Mentoring)
http://mentor-mentorship.blogspot.com/
(Money Management:
How to Save Money)
http://save-money-ideas.blogspot.com/
(Money Management: How to Save Money- Long Comprehensive Article)
http://manage-moneysaving.blogspot.in/
(Motivation)
http://motivation-people.blogspot.com/
(Management Encyclopedia- Everything on Management and Leadership)
http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com
N
(Negotiation Skills)
http://negotiating-skills.blogspot.com/
(Negotiation Tactics)
http://negotiation-tactics.blogspot.com/
(Non-verbal Communication or Body Language)
http://body-language-communication.blogspot.com/
O
(Objection Handling)
http://objection-handling.blogspot.com/
(OKness or Life Positions)
http://life-positions.blogspot.com/
(Opportunities in Recession)
http://recession-opportunity.blogspot.in/
(Organization Development-
OD)
http://organization-development-od.blogspot.com/
(Organizational Culture)
http://organizational-culture-values.blogspot.com/
(Out of Box Ideas)
http://wow-idea.blogspot.com/
(Outsourcing)
http://outsourcing-contracting.blogspot.com/
(Ownership on Job)
http://job-ownership.blogspot.com/
P
(Paradigm and Paradigm Shift)
http://paradigm-mindset.blogspot.com/
(Parental Responsibilities-
family management)
http://parental-responsibilities.blogspot.com/
(Pareto Analysis or ABC Analysis or 80/20 Rule)
http://abc-pareto-analysis.blogspot.com/ or
http://shyam.bhatawdekar.net/index.php/2011/07/20/abc-analysis-or-pareto-analysis/
(Participative Processes, Participative Management-
Democracy) http://democracy-liberation.blogspot.com/
(Performance Management: Wholesome HR System)
http://performance-management-appraisal.blogspot.com/
(Performance Management and Appraisal)
http://performance-appraisal-management.blogspot.com/
(Personality)
http://human-personality.blogspot.com/
(Personal Branding)
http://professional-branding.blogspot.com/ or http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/
(Positive Strokes)
http://positive-strokes.blogspot.com/
(Presentation Skills)
http://presentation-effectiveness.blogspot.com/
(Problem Solving)
http://problem-solving-skill.blogspot.com/
(Product Knowledge:
Home Page for All Products) http://products-all.blogspot.com/
(Product Knowledge-
Cars)
http://cars-products.blogspot.com/
(Product Knowledge-
Chocolates)
http://chocolates-products.blogspot.com/
(Product Knowledge-
Flowers)
http://flowers-products.blogspot.com/
(Product Knowledge-
Greeting Cards)
http://greeting-cards-products.blogspot.com/
(Product Knowledge-
Cell Phones)
http://mobilephones-products.blogspot.com/
(Professional- Genuine Professional)
http://professional-genuine.blogspot.in/
(Professional Branding)
http://professional-branding.blogspot.com/ or http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/
(Profit Improvement)
http://profit-improvement.blogspot.com/
(Project Management)
http://management-of-project.blogspot.com/
(Psychological Strokes)
http://positive-strokes.blogspot.com/
(Public Speaking)
http://public-speak-skill.blogspot.com/
Q
(Qualities of CEO)
http://ceo-qualities.blogspot.com/
(Quality Circles History)
http://quality-circles-history.blogspot.com/
(Quality Circles)
http://quality-circles.blogspot.com/
(Quality Function Deployment-
QFD and House of Quality)
http://quality-function-deployment.blogspot.com/
(Quality Gurus)
http://quality-gurus.blogspot.com/
R
(Recession: How to Avert Recession, How to Combat Recession and Then, How to Move Ahead?)
http://recession-global.blogspot.in/
(Recession Management)
http://recession-management.blogspot.com/
(Recession: Opportunities in Recession)
http://recession-opportunity.blogspot.in/
(Recruitment and Selection)
http://recruitment-selection.blogspot.com/
(Research Methodology)
http://research-work-methodology.blogspot.com/
S
(Safety and Health Management)
http://safety-health-management.blogspot.com/
(Sales/Selling Process)
http://selling-process.blogspot.com/
(Sales Promotion)
http://sales-promotion.blogspot.com/
(Save Money)
http://save-money-ideas.blogspot.com/
(Self-awareness: Getting Introduced to Self)
http://self-concept-awareness.blogspot.in/
(Self-concept)
http://self-concept-image.blogspot.com/
(Self-concept)
http://self-image-concept.blogspot.com/
(Self-confidence)
http://self-confidence-improvement.blogspot.com/
(Self Development)
http://managing-self.blogspot.com/
(Self Motivation or Internal Motivation)
http://internal-motivation.blogspot.com/
(Shyam Bhatawdekar's articles, blogs and knols: Home Page)
http://writings-of-shyam.blogspot.com/
(Shyam Bhatawdekar's Effectiveness Model-
HSoftware)
http://humansoftware.blogspot.com/,
http://human-software-hsoftware.blogspot.com/
(Six Sigma)
http://six-sigma-system.blogspot.com/
(Six Thinking Hats)
http://six-thinking-hats.blogspot.com/
(Soft Skills)
http://soft-skills-competencies.blogspot.com/
(Soft Skills/Competencies: Details of Each Competency)
http://soft-competencies-skills.blogspot.com/
(Spiritual Quotient/Intelligence)
http://spiritual-quotient.blogspot.com/
(Stories for Children for Child Development)
http://stories-children.blogspot.com/
(Statistics- Basics)
http://statistics-basic.blogspot.com/
(Strategic Management)
http://strategic-managing.blogspot.com/
(Stress Management)
http://managing-stress-strain.blogspot.com/
(Stress Management: Stress Freedom: Long Comprehensive Article)
http://stress-freedom.blogspot.in/
(Sub-contracting)
http://outsourcing-contracting.blogspot.com/
(Success)
http://success-achievement.blogspot.com/
(Success in Life: Life Management)
http://success-complete.blogspot.in/
(Supply Chain Management)
http://manage-supply-chain.blogspot.com/
(Supply and Demand)
http://supply-demand-laws.blogspot.com/
(Swine Flu and Its Prevention)
http://swine-flu-precaution.blogspot.com/
T
(Talent Management)
http://managing-talent.blogspot.com/
(Team Building)
http://team-building-working.blogspot.com/
(Telephone Etiquette)
http://telephone-etiquette.blogspot.com/
(Three Sixty Degrees Appraisal System)
http://three-sixty-degrees-feedback.blogspot.com/
(Time Management)
http://time-life-management.blogspot.com/
(Total Productive Maintenance-
TPM)
http://total-productive-maintenance.blogspot.com/
(Total Quality Management-
TQM)
http://total-quality-concept.blogspot.com/
(Training and Development)
http://training-function.blogspot.com/
(Training Games)
http://training-games.blogspot.com/
(Trainers’ Qualities)
http://trainers-qualities.blogspot.com/
(Train the Trainers)
http://train-trainers.blogspot.com/
(Train the Trainers)
http://train-trainer.blogspot.com/
(Training of Trainers- Comprehensive at One Place)
http://training-of-trainers.blogspot.com/
(Transaction Analysis-
TA)
http://transaction-analysis.blogspot.com/
(Tourism, Travel and Sightseeing Management-
India)
http://india-tours-sightseeing.blogspot.com/
(Tourism, Travel and Sightseeing Management-
World)
http://sightseeing-guide.blogspot.com/
(Tourism, Trave and Sightseeing Management-
World Heritage Sites)
http://world-heritage-spots.blogspot.com/
(
TRIZ: Inventive Problem Solving)
http://triz-problem-solving.blogspot.com/
V
(Value Engineering/Analysis)
http://value-engineering-analysis.blogspot.com/
W
(Winners and Losers)
http://winners-losers.blogspot.com/
(Work Study: Method Study and Work Measurement)
http://workstudy-measurement.blogspot.com/
(Work Methods or Practices: Efficient)
http://efficient-work-methods.blogspot.com/
(World Class Manufacturing)
http://world-class-manufacturing.blogspot.com/
(Writings of Shyam Bhatawdekar on Management)
http://writings-of-shyam.blogspot.com/
(Written Communication)
http://written-communication.blogspot.com/
Z
(Zero Based Budgeting)
http://zero-based-budgeting.blogspot.com/