The document discusses the importance of asking "why" five times to find the root cause of a problem. It provides an example of a boy who came home with a bruised knee after falling off his bike. By asking "why" five times - why he fell, why he couldn't brake, why the brakes didn't work, why the brake pads had come loose - the root cause was identified as loose brake pads rather than improper riding. Finding the root cause ensures the corrective action of adjusting the brake pads will solve the problem long-term.

1. Bino Punnoose ASQ CSSBB
Problem statement
WHY:
WHY:
WHY:
WHY:
WHY:
Ask “Why” 5
times to get
to the root
cause
If you stop
with 1 or 2
Why’s, only
the symptom
will be
addressed
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2. Jack came home with a
bruise on his knee
WHY: Jack fell off
his bike
WHY: Jack was
not careful while
riding his bike
Ask “Why” 5
times to get
to the root
cause
Corrective
action:
Jack needs to
be more
careful
Is the problem
solved?
2
Bino Punnoose ASQ CSSBB

3. Jack came home with a bruise on
his knee
WHY: Jack fell off his
bike
WHY: He was turning
a corner too fast
WHY: He was not able
to brake soon enough
WHY: The brakes did
not work properly
WHY: The brake pads
had come loose
Ask “Why” 5
times to get
to the root
cause
Corrective
action:
Adjust the
brake pads
Is the problem
solved?
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Bino Punnoose ASQ CSSBB

4. ROOT CAUSE: The brake pads had come
loose
THEREFORE: The brakes did
not work properly
THEREFORE: He was not able
to brake soon enough
THEREFORE: He was turning
a corner too fast
THEREFORE: Jack fell off his
bike
THEREFORE: Jack came home
with a bruise on his knee
Reverse the
sequence and
replace “why”
with
“therefore”.
The
statements
should “flow”
logically.
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Bino Punnoose ASQ CSSBB