Medication Errors at Big City General Hospital- Week 4 Discussion

Improving Business Performance

Week 4 Learning Resources

Determining Root Cause: The 5-Why Tool

Using these resources, you will explore the use of the 5-Why tool in determining the root cause of a problem or dilemma. The root cause is the identified causal element. If you can remove, resolve, or change the root cause, you would eliminate or mitigate the dilemma being investigated. As you begin to use and practice root cause analysis, remember that the question of “why” leads to uncovering causes, as opposed to the question of “how,” which leads to implementing solutions to a problem that is potentially not fully understood—so be sure to ask “why.”

· iSixSigma Editorial. (n.d.).  Determine the root cause: 5 whys Links to an external site. . iSixSigma. https://www.isixsigma.com/tools-templates/cause-effect/determine-root-cause-5-whys/

· Lean Enterprise Institute. (2018, July 19).  The 5 whys—lean problem solvingLinks to an external site.  [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrlYkx41wEE

· Shook, J. (2009, Summer).  Toyota’s secret: The A3 reportLinks to an external site. .  MIT Sloan Management Review,  50(4), 30–33.