In this activity, students investigate the causes of a problem by repeatedly asking the question “Why?”. By doing this five times, they dig deeper and reveal the underlying factors that create or reinforce the problem. The method helps students move beyond surface-level problem definitions and identify where real interventions are needed.
- Activity goal
- Activate prior knowledge | Brainstorm | Practice skills | Reflect
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline | Online
- Duration
- < 10 minutes| < 30 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium | Large
Step-by-step plan
Step 1: Formulate the problem
Write down a clear problem statement you want to analyze.
Step 2: Ask the first ‘why’
Ask: "Why do we have this problem?". Write down the answers.
Step 3: Go deeper
For each answer, ask again: "Why is this the case?". Repeat the process five times or until no new insights appear.
Step 4: Visualize the layers
Write or draw the answers in layers, so that the chain of causes becomes visible.
Step 5: Discuss insights
Discuss as a group which causes seem fundamental and which are just symptoms. What patterns emerge?
Step 6: Reflect
Have students consider: How does this insight change our understanding of the problem? and What direction for solutions becomes clearer?
Consider the tools and materials mentioned here as suggestions. In many cases it’s possible to use alternative tools. Please turn to the Learning & Innovation team of your faculty first to see which online and offline tools are available and how to apply them.
Offline
- Paper and markers
- Digital visualization tool such as Miro to map the 'why'-chain (optional)
Tip 1
- Encourage students not to settle for the first answer, the deeper insights often come later.
Tip 2
- Keep the activity light and creative: sometimes an unexpected 'why' brings the strongest insight.
Variation 1
- Let groups present their ‘why’-chain to another group, who can challenge them to go deeper.
Variation 2
- This method also works as an individual writing exercise, followed by a group discussion.
- Moaveni, S. & Chou, K. (2017). Using the Five Whys Methods in the Classroom: How to Turn Students into Problem Solvers. Journal of STEM Education, 17(4),. Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Engineering Education (LITEE). Retrieved September 27, 2020 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/174416/.
