Curious minds ask the most questions. Do you think that’s true? Maybe yes.
Maybe not.
Did you know asking questions can solve problems?
Have you heard about the 5 whys approach?
I recently attended a session and our well-read trainer shared this story about how asking why 5 times (you could understand the problem and find a solution in fewer whys) can help solve a problem. The approach aims to get to the root of the problem and find a solution instead of tackling the problem with the first symptom that is visible.
The case in point is of Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC which was deteriorating in the early twentieth century. Many studies and conversations followed to understand the problem at hand.
Obviously, the chemicals used to clean the monument were speeding the deterioation. The alternate solutions went down the drain. So after a lot of deliberation and thoughts, a consultant was hired to solve this issue.
Why was the memorial deteriorating?
Because the chemicals used to clean it were too harsh.
Why was the monument cleaned using such harsh chemicals?
To clean the bird droppings else the stains would stay.
Why were there bird droppings?
Because these birds feed on the spiders in the area. Then the droppings are an obvious outcome.
Why were there spiders in the area?
Because spiders feed on insects that are drawn to the area at dusk.
Why were these insects drawn to the monument at dusk?
Cos at dusk, the lights attract these insects.
Solution to the problem: Push the timing of lighting the monument by 30 minutes to avoid attracting the insects to the monument. This solution actually helped solve the problem.
No chemicals – harsh or soft.
The 5 whys approach goes beyond the apparent symptoms.
While this was just one example, you could try this in life and see how this helps you.
If someone appears to be too snappy, they could be having a bad day. You may not be the reason. If someone is not able to voice their opinion, it could be past experience and not lack of confidence.
What appears on the face is not always the truth. The habit of asking questions could be a trait of a curious mind but it goes a long way in solving problems.
Try the approach to believe in it.
Writing for #MondayMusings today.
happiness and food 
I am going to try this! Five why’s ha..interesting. This is definitely going to be useful in day-to-day life.
And I like your blog’s new look better 🙂
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Thank you for saying that!
Yes, I think this approach would work when solving problems.
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Loved this concept, applies in all walks of life.. I am also going through a phase, where in my little tot asks me more than 5 and I wish I had google glasses always to get answers…
Cheers,
Roopa
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Ha ha! Yes, little ones can ask too many questions and it could then be a 50 why approach without a real solution 😉
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I am a little wary of this approach since I deal with a hundred Whys everyday from the kids, till it drives me up the wall. :-). Jokes apart, this sounds like a good strategy to get to the root of a problem.
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Ha ha! Exactly what I told Roopa above 🙂
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Nice concept seems…shall try n put it to solve daily problems..#FiveWhys…good learning…thanks
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Thanks Deepankar!
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This is thought provoking and makes me realise I have never asked questions except to myself. It is true questioning helps finding solutions whether the issues are external or internal. Questioning helps in growing. The case study of Thomas Jefferson memorial was interesting. I have a question for you this morning. Check your whatsapp 😀
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Thank God I did not let you ask another why on the first why 😉
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Very interesting way to solve a problem. We do often tend to search for solutions from the very first why. Will surely apply this the next time, thanks for sharing Parul! 🙂
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Yes. Jumping to solutions is so easy that we even fail to understand the problem.
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Umm… interesting Parul. I always believe the reasons – when it comes to our life – leads back to ‘us’.
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True! Thanks Nisha!
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Yes, asking questions really gives you a lot more than what you see. Nice one
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Thanks Ami.
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I’ve learned about this approved in one of our CA trainings and it truly is effective. Thanks for sharing this informative post, Parul!
Do check out my latest post! http://www.expressinglife.in/2016/07/the-story-of-our-not-so-ideal-family.html 🙂
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Thank you, Radhika.
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ahh I have heard of this approach .. In fact, I had to work on something where I had to inculcate this approach…It was a pain..But maybe that is because I incorporated it at work for a boring quality analytics…But yes in general, asking questions is the way to find answers and finding a solution..
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I know that getting answers to whys is hard. Sometimes, even for work people get defensive towards the approach. A blend of setting the expectations right and then proceeding should help. Thanks, Naba.
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I’m a huge fan of the 5 Whys technique. We had learned it when we were being trained for 6 Sigma. Truly, it’s highly effective in getting to the root cause of a problem rather than addressing it superficially. The only point holding most people back is that the answers take too long to come out, and are often not pleasant.
Great post Parul.
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Totally agree, Vishal. 6 sigma has got a lot of relevance in optimising process efficiencies.
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Love your take on solving problems by asking questions, Parul. Agree with you that not always one solution works, but sometimes it might take a while and a few suggestions before hitting the nail on the head. The more questions we ask, the more we learn to see the different perspectives to each situation and it is often a humbling experience. We are not always right 🙂
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Yes, Mabel. What appears on the surface may not be the only reason or solution. Thank you!
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Parul… agree asking questions are a way to prod deeper into the matter. however, sometimes it may not really work in our favour. MAybe say in a relationship. One should question, but depending on the scenario, could decide to ask these questions within themselves.
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With you Ramya. Like I wouldn’t like being asked personal questions. So yes, we should decide based on scenarios.
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I’m not sure where I’ve heard this, but i have somewhere. But you know what, my day involves answering a lot of ‘Whys’ from my little one and I guess, I am in no position to ask any more 😀
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Ha ha! I can understand all you parents 😉
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It’s such a supercool way of getting a perfect solution! Off to try it out 😀
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Sure. But don’t get kicked by asking why is a wrong situation 😛
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Over time I have stopped questioning, because it led to arguments sometimes and I stopped it, because when I questioned people felt their opinion did not matter, but it was not about it. But maybe this way I could get back to questioning and solving
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See..possible, isn’t it? I ask fewer questions if the situation demands. Thanks, Ramya.
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That is an extremely balanced way of approaching solutions. Unfortunately my husband’s boss follows this principle and his why’s go on to more than 5 for every problem. With the result my husband hates telling him anything because he keeps going ‘WHY”??
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Ha ha! Bosses I tell you 😉
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we do that as kids but growing up, we stop asking important questions. we assume a lot of things instead asking. the 5 whys are such a simple way of making things easier. i loved that pigeon story. it tells us so much.
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I couldn’t agree more. We change as we grow but should we? Great point there
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That invited lot of food for thought! Haven’t heard of this approach and it seems to be an interesting one. Would love to try someday! Tell me, did you try it or not? And did it help? Please share that as well 🙂
Cheers
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In a work scenario, I saw it being implemented but I haven’t used it personally. I will try but at work. Personally I try to stay away from problems 😛
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This is something that we reiterate in our training workshops day in and day out. Asking questions help solve a lot of issues and clears miscommunication too! Love the example you shared!
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Thanks, Shilpa. Most trainers out here have heard of the approach.
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Well, a part of me agrees with this post. The part that is not nagged by my 4-year old’s 500 why approach.
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Lol. Poor you 😉
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I do this sometimes, and I sometimes I would be surprised to know that the answer comes to me at the very first ‘why’. I loved the last few lines where you summarised the importance of asking the question to ourselves. To not be judgemental is something many of us ought to learn on an emergency basis.
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Yes, Maliny. Every situation is different. We get the answers easily and sometimes we have to dig deeper. Thanks for stopping by.
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I hadn’t heard of this approach before, but I will definitely keep this in mind! I also find it interesting that the question, “why?” seems to be the most common one asked by little ones, as they’re learning about the world. Thanks for sharing this, Parul!
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I am going to share this story to those who deride ones asking questions (yes, I am one of those, but the questions are mostly asked in my mind!) 🙂
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I do agree that the 5 Whys approach is actually quite useful. Unless it is children who ask those questions when it can become a thousand why or if the person is too grumpy to answer.
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My thought about this, Parul, is that by using the five questions approach it’s helping people to NOT think deeply enough for themselves. If those answers can be arrived at by questioning the situation then surely the person answering them should be able to think things through for themselves? That seems to me to have been the way problems were always tackled successfully in the past. (Another way, like the five questions, is with a flowchart or diagram, which is a creative version of it and often, not really necessary.) Oh and by learning how to think things through – the extra expense of hiring a consultant (and having them take money that often they don’t need!) wouldn’t be needed…
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wow this is such a brilliant approach Parul and with the example one can easily understand how asking questions can provide simpler solutions.
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