Ask Why

Here is a problem-solving technique based on child development.  We have all connected with a child, who when we answer the question, "Why is the sky blue?" ask "why" over and over again.  In "To Get To The Root of A Hard Problem Just Ask 'Why' Five Times" Eric Ries points out that Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System, developed this technique into a systematic problem-solving tool:

"At the root of every seemingly technical problem is a human problem. Five Whys provides an opportunity to discover what that human problem might be.  Taiichi Ohno gives the following example:

"When confronted with a problem, have you ever stopped and asked why five times?  It is difficult to do even though it sounds easy.  For example, suppose a machine stopped functioning:

1. Why did the machine stop?  (There was an overload and the fuse blew.)
   
   
2. Why was there an overload?  (The bearing was not sufficiently lubricated.)
   
   
3. Why was it not lubricated sufficiently?  (The lubrication pump was not pumping sufficiently.)
   
   
4. Why was it not pumping sufficiently?  (The shaft of the pump was worn and rattling.)
   
   
5. Why was the shaft worn out?  (There was no strainer attached and metal scrap got in.

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