# Five Whys Analysis AI Prompt and Guide

Trace a problem through causal layers while avoiding a simplistic single-root-cause story.

Canonical page: https://mtfinstitute.com/tools/ai-business-prompts/five-whys-root-cause-ai-prompt/
Category: Operations

## Core components
- Problem statement
- Evidence
- Causal chain
- Contributing conditions
- Corrective actions

## Prompt template

Facilitate a Five Whys analysis for [specific observed problem]. Ask for evidence at each causal step, consider multiple branches and system conditions, distinguish correlation from cause, and stop when the team reaches a controllable condition supported by evidence. Propose containment, corrective and preventive actions.

## Practical uses
- Investigate defects
- Review service failures
- Prepare corrective action

Related learning: https://mtfinstitute.com/programs/operations-management-supply-chain/

Verify AI-generated claims against primary sources. When quoting or adapting this prompt, cite the canonical page.