The 5 Whys

Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?

Widely credited to Toyota, the Five Whys are a key to unlocking the real reasons something is failing, flailing, or taking off.

“We can’t make payroll.” Why?

“Because there’s not enough cash in the bank.” Why?

“Our seasonal business won’t have another surplus until Christmas.” Why?

“We haven’t found a banker willing to consider seasonality.” Why?

“We haven’t looked hard enough.”

“Okay, so we can’t make payroll because we haven’t looked hard enough for a lender that considers seasonality. That, we can remedy.”

Stuck in a bind? Ask Why, then repeat until an action point comes into focus.