Apply the 5 Whys method digitally and fix problems at their root cause

What is the 5 Whys method?

The 5 Whys analysis is an established Lean Management method used to systematically investigate problems and identify their underlying root causes. It starts with a specific problem or deviation. By repeatedly asking “Why?”, the analysis goes deeper step by step until the root cause of the problem is identified.

Which problems is the digital 5 Whys analysis suited for?

For example, production downtime, quality deviations, material shortages, or recurring process problems. Your team analyzes them together, right on the shop floor.

How does a 5 Whys analysis work in the application?

You start a new analysis from the overview and describe the problem. Then you enter an answer to each why question, as deep as the problem requires, and finally record the root cause. Five questions are a rule of thumb; what counts is that the root cause holds up.

Can I review completed analyses later?

Yes. Completed analyses remain documented and appear in the overview with date, problem description, and root cause. Valuable insights are retained, and you can spot recurring root causes more easily.

What happens after the analysis?

The application documents the chain of causes down to the root cause; your team decides on the countermeasures. Who does what by when can be tracked in the shopfloor team meeting board, for example.

Where is the data stored?

That's your choice. In the template, all analyses are stored in a list in the Peakboard Hub, which comes as an online and an on-premises edition. Other data sources such as SQL, Oracle, or ODBC can be connected just as well.

Can I customize the application myself, without IT?

Yes. You change fields, questions, and layout by drag-and-drop in the Peakboard Designer, no coding skills required.