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The 5 Whys technique is a simple and powerful root cause analysis tool, which involves asking “why?” repeatedly (five times or more) to identify the real origin of a problem.

The 5 Whys technique is a simple and powerful root cause analysis tool, which involves asking “why?” repeatedly (five times or more) to identify the real origin of a problem.

The goal is to go beyond the symptoms and find the technical and procedural root cause, enabling lasting corrective actions.

🧠 Why use the 5 Whys?

  • Easy to apply, even without complex software or tools
  • Encourages logical and collaborative thinking
  • Helps avoid superficial or palliative actions
  • Supports methodologies like 8D, Ishikawa, PDCA and Kaizen

🧩 Practical example with AJOLLY Testing

Problem: The electronic board failed the RS485 communication test.

  1. Why? → The board did not respond to the test command.
  2. Why? → The firmware did not initialize the UART correctly.
  3. Why? → The loaded firmware version was incorrect.
  4. Why? → The test system did not validate the firmware version.
  5. Why? → The test sequence does not include version verification.

➡️ Root cause: Lack of automatic firmware verification → technical and traceable corrective action.

🔧 How AJOLLY Testing applies the 5 Whys

AJOLLY Testing uses the 5 Whys technique integrated into its test engineering, CAPA, failure resolution, and continuous improvement processes.

📊 Data-driven application

  • Analysis of automatically recorded failures in systems like TestStand, LabVIEW
  • Association with logs, series, operators, and measurement data
  • Integration with Ishikawa diagrams and 8D for greater depth

📄 Standardized documentation

  • Digital 5 Whys templates linked to the non-conformity number
  • Cross-validation with corrective and preventive actions (D5 and D7 of 8D)
  • Reports accessible in MES, QMS, or internal dashboards systems

🤝 Training and problem-solving culture

  • Training operators and engineers in the 5 Whys technique
  • Mandatory inclusion in recurring or critical incidents
  • Support for multifunctional teams in technical investigations

With AJOLLY Testing, the 5 Whys become a robust technical tool, connected to real data and applied with traceability, contributing to definitive solutions and organizational learning.