5-Whys Method

5-Whys techniqueDetermine the root cause of a problem

Alexei Vinogradov

Alexei Vinogradovfreiberuflicher IT-BeraterTest, Testmanagement, Testautomatisierung,Coaching

email: [email protected] skype: alexejvtwitter: @i_vinohttps://www.softwerkskammer.org/groups/testing

Evolution

• We know what to change

• We know how to change

• We can do the work to the end

(c) Maxim Dorofeev http://2014.codefest.ru/lecture/887 (in Russian)

5 Whys• (What to change?)

• Problem-solving technique

• Toyota, Japan

• In 1920-ies

5 Whys• state a problem (or „unlucky circumstance“)

• iterative questioning to explore cause-effect

• looking for the root cause of a problem

• 5 iterations are typically enough

5 WhysCircumstance

Reason

Reason

Reason

Reason

Reason

5 WhysServer down

Hard drive full

Logs too big

No achrive hardw

Order not apprv

CEO on holiday

5 WhysCircumstance

Reason

Reason

Reason

Reason

Reason

Reason

Reason Reason

Reason Reason Reason

Reason

ass..les all aroundReason

5 WhysService is down

added new feature on the last day

Product owner insisted

we’ve done in sprint everything wrong

we’re seeing PO infrequently

(c) Maxim Dorofeev http://2014.codefest.ru/lecture/887 (in Russian)

Tips

• Bring people together for analysis

• Write down the results live

• If not agreed - make multiple branches

• Go broad first, then prioritize branches

Summary• The problems may live deeper than it seems

• Solving root cause brings more benefit than curing symptoms

• People may understand same things differently

• Some well-known „old“ production techniques are applicable for the IT world very well

The End. Questions?

skype: alexejvemail: [email protected] twitter: @i_vino