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Good afternoon,

When problem solving, knowing where to start can be a huge hurdle. Today we want to share one of the many techniques that the OE team uses to discover the underlying causes of a problem or challenge when starting a project.

The “5 Whys” is a structured approach to root cause analysis that helps identify the true root cause of a problem rather than just another symptom of the problem. To utilize this technique, simply ask “why?” five times, or as many times as needed, until the root cause becomes clear. Using this strategy allows you to address the problem rather than the symptoms.

What are ways your team has approached problem solving? I invite you to try the 5 Whys method and let us know how it goes.

Please feel free to share this email with your colleagues. You can also visit our website to learn more about Operational Excellence, read my previous updates, and submit feedback. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at wernoski@email.unc.edu. I read every email.

Best,
Rick


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