Tools - Numbers - B

AKA

Five W's and Two H's

Classification

Idea Generating (IG)

Tool 1: 5W2H Method

Tool description

The 5W2H method is a very structured, idea-generating tool that asks a specific set of questions regarding a previously prepared problem or opportunity statement. This tool will force a team to consider and question every aspect of the problem or opportunity.

Typical application

• To examine and question a process or product for the purpose of gaining improvement ideas.

• To identify potential problem or opportunity breakthroughs.

• To assist a team in generating new ideas.

• To discover overlooked issues or causes.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
1	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
	Project management
3	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
2	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Events log

• Checksheet

• Brainstorming

• Pareto chart

• Problem specification

after

• Starbursting

• Problem analysis

• Countermeasures matrix

• Solution matrix

• Work flow analysis (WFA)

Notes and key points

• Also refer to the SCAMPER tool for more options.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 Display a prepared problem or opportunity statement to the team. See example Reduce Hiring Cycle Time for Engineers.

• STEP 2 Describe the 5W2H chart and its headings of Issue, 5W2H, Question, and Consider.

• STEP 3 Participants respond with questions and countermeasures for completing the chart. Use additional flip-chart paper to record a large number of responses.

• STEP 4 Review and date the completed chart.

Example of tool application

Reduce Hiring Cycle Time for Engineers			Date: xx/xx/xx
Issue	5W2H Question		Consider
Purpose	Why	–do we need this process?	Outsource
		–does it take so much time?	function
Activity	What	–are the activities involved?	Cycle time
		–are the essential activities?	reduction
Place	Where	–is the process performed?	Centralization/
		–are the employment offices?	decentralization
Staff	Who	–is involved in this process?	Reduce
		–needs to be involved?	approvals
Time	When	–is this process activated?	Planning/
		–is this process completed?	Procedures
Method	How	–do we recruit?	Re-engineering
		–is staffing practiced?
Cost	How much	–does it cost for hiring?	Cost/
		–can the cost be reduced?	benefit analysis