# Five whys: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> The five whys is an exploratory technique that chains questions together to investigate the causes of a problem.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/lean/5-why.html

# Five whys

The five whys is an exploratory technique that chains questions together to investigate the causes of a problem

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

The number five is indicative. Each answer should be based on observations and may open several causal branches. It is useful for starting an analysis, but the conclusions should be tested and complex problems should not be attributed to a single cause or a single person.

Also known as

5 whys

Topics

[Strategic design and innovation](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/diseno-estrategico-e-innovacion)

## Related concepts

- [SWOT analysis](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/dafo.html)
- [Benchmarking](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/branding/benchmarking.html)
- [Brainstorming](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/lean/brainstorming.html)