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Problem Solving in Operational Excellence

The 5W1H approach is a questioning technique used for structured problem solving. It involves asking 6 questions - What, Where, When, Why, Who, and How - to understand a problem. Rudyard Kipling popularized this method in 1902. The questions are meant to provide a full understanding of a problem before attempting to solve it. Asking the questions directly at the site of the problem and involving a team can provide different perspectives to integrate. While simple, this approach requires accuracy in questioning to be effective.

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Rathod Mayur
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122 views8 pages

Problem Solving in Operational Excellence

The 5W1H approach is a questioning technique used for structured problem solving. It involves asking 6 questions - What, Where, When, Why, Who, and How - to understand a problem. Rudyard Kipling popularized this method in 1902. The questions are meant to provide a full understanding of a problem before attempting to solve it. Asking the questions directly at the site of the problem and involving a team can provide different perspectives to integrate. While simple, this approach requires accuracy in questioning to be effective.

Uploaded by

Rathod Mayur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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5W1H approach

Problem solving
in
Operational excellence
5W1H Approach
• 5W1H method helps to understand a problem
• 5W1H method is often referred to as the Kipling
method
(In 1902, the writer Rudyard Kipling published a poem in his book
"The Elephants Child" which forms the basis for the method).
• 5W1H method is a questioning technique with 6
questions
• 5W1H method is part of structured problem solving
• Avoidance of the thinking approach "I don't have a
solution, but I admire the problem".
Admiration of the problem" is the basis for the solution
approach, which is unfortunately too often
underestimated!

The basis for the solution lies in the "admiration" of the


problem!
5W1H technique
• What is the problem?
• Where does the problem occur?
• When does the problem occur?
• Why did the problem occur?
• Who should be involved in solving the problem?
• How do you know that the problem has been solved in
the long term?

This structured approach looks very simple, but as so


often, the devil is in the detail.
It should always be avoided to do the problem solving and
questioning far away from the shopfloor, because you can
directly understand many things directly in the shopfloor.
Furthermore, it should be the goal to do these questioning
techniques in a team, because you can directly integrate
the different opinions and experiences.
5W1H samples
• What is the problem?
My suitcase is too heavy

• Where does the problem occur?


In the hotel room and when I wearing it

• When does the problem occur?


When packing, before the flight back from holiday

• Why did the problem occur?


Because I have bought too much!

• Who should be involved in solving the problem?


A parcel service that forwards my purchases to me

• How do you know that the problem has been solved


in the long term?
If The parcel service picked up my parcel.
5W1H tips
• What is the problem?
Answer what happened, what you have see!
• Where does the problem occur?
Provides information about the exact location.
• When does the problem occur?
Describes the time when the problem occurs/occurred.
Gives information about the duration.
• Why did the problem occur?
Describes under which circumstances the problem
occurs!
• Who should be involved in solving the problem?
Think about who can help you solve the problem with
their experience.
• How do you know that the problem has been solved
in the long term?
If the problem does not occur again for a period of
time. Then set a standard.
5W1H application
The Kipling method (or a modified version of it) is used
very successfully, especially in situations where a problem
has to be grasped and assessed quickly.

• WHO reports?

• WHAT happened?

• WHERE did something happen?

• HOW many people are injured?

• WHAT injuries are there?

• WAIT (are there any queries, etc.)


5W1H advantages
• Gives the user food for thought about the problem

• Promotes communication between problem solvers


and the employee experiencing the problem

• Quick, systematic presentation of the problem

• Standardized Approach in problem solving

• perfect entry for standardised and systematic thinking

• Not easy to use, as a certain degree of accuracy is


required when asking questions

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