The 5 Whys quality improvement (QI) tool helps you uncover the root cause of a quality issue by repeatedly asking, “Why is this happening?” until you identify an actionable solution.
Despite its name, you’re not limited to asking “why?” five times. Sometimes, three “whys” might be enough, while other times, more probing is needed.
To get the most out of this tool, involve everyone with relevant knowledge of the issue – such as clients, tenants, staff and caregivers.
Key Definitions
- Contributing Factor: A condition or influence that plays a role in causing a problem but isn’t the main reason. Using diagnostic tools, you may uncover several contributing factors that need to be considered.
- Root Cause: The primary reason a problem is happening. It’s the underlying issue that, if resolved, would prevent the problem from occurring again. Once root causes are identified, they are addressed through the development of change ideas.
CLICK HERE to Download E-QIP’s 5 Whys Template
