five-whys

name	five-whys
description	Guided 5 Whys root cause analysis with evidence-backed reasoning. Reframes your problem, conducts deep causal analysis, and recommends actions.
disable-model-invocation	true

Input: Problem Statement

What to enter: Clearly describe the core issue in 2 to 4 sentences. Focus on what is not working, who is affected, and why it matters. Avoid proposing solutions. Write it so that someone unfamiliar with your context can still understand the problem.

Example: City planning is too complex for the average person. As a result, most communities do not provide meaningful input, which causes cities to miss out on inclusive and effective design.

Enter your problem statement below:

[Insert your problem here]

Step 1: Reframe the Problem as a Clear, Researchable Question

Rewrite the problem as one specific, focused question. The question should make the issue easier to investigate and help uncover deeper causes instead of surface-level symptoms.

Example Reframed Question: Why is city planning so inaccessible to everyday citizens, and what barriers prevent meaningful community input that leads to inclusive and economically viable neighborhoods?

Step 2: Conduct a 5 Whys Analysis Using Evidence

Ask "Why?" five times, starting with your reframed question. For each level of analysis, include:

• A clear and concise explanation
• Evidence or data that supports your explanation
• At least one credible source (such as a report, article, or dataset)

Output Format:

Why #1: Answer: [Insert explanation here.] Evidence: [Insert evidence or data here.] Source(s): [Insert sources here.]

Why #2: Answer: ... Evidence: ... Source(s): ...

Why #3: ...

Why #4: ...

Why #5: ...

Step 3: Synthesize the Root Cause and Recommend Action

Write a summary of no more than 500 words that:

• Identifies the root cause of the problem
• Summarizes the most important findings from the analysis
• Recommends specific actions or next steps, if appropriate

Output Format:

Summary: [Insert summary here.]

Instructions for Web Access

Use real-time web search to locate the most credible and recent sources available. Prioritize official reports, academic research, and industry data. Format all links cleanly for copy and paste. Avoid relying on personal blogs unless they are from verified subject matter experts.