5whys

Guide iterative Why questioning to identify root causes and corrective actions.

35|13|Updated Dec 12, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/wildwasser/opencode-agents --skill 5whys
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: 5whys
Source: https://github.com/wildwasser/opencode-agents/tree/main/.opencode/skills/5whys
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/wildwasser/opencode-agents --skill 5whys

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Five Whys Analysis helps teams pierce through symptoms to identify root causes by iterative questioning, enabling more reliable debugging and problem understanding.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Iterative Why chain: ask "why" repeatedly to drill down to root cause.
  • Structured outputs: produce a clear chain, root cause, branches, and corrective actions for auditability.
  • Use Case: for incident investigations, process failures, or quality issues across software and operations.

Quick Start

Start with the stated problem and ask "why" again and again until the underlying cause is identified and actionable.

Frequently Asked Questions about 5whys

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I perform root cause analysis for an incident investigation?

Root cause analysis for an incident investigation is performed by iteratively asking why an event occurred to drill down past symptoms. This structured process reveals the fundamental trigger and produces actionable corrective actions.

What is the best way to debug complex software failures beyond surface symptoms?

The best way to debug complex software failures is to use iterative why questioning to trace errors back to their origin. This method forces you to map out a clear why chain, ensuring you fix the underlying fault rather than patching symptoms.

Can I use Five Whys for process improvement in business operations?

Yes, you can use Five Whys for process improvement in business operations to investigate quality issues and operational failures. It applies iterative questioning to identify systemic root causes and generate verifiable corrective actions.

How do I document an incident investigation with structured outputs?

You document an incident investigation by structuring the analysis into a Problem Statement, Why Chain, Root Cause, Branches, Corrective Actions, and Verification. This format ensures the investigation is auditable and the results are actionable.

What should I do when a root cause analysis branches into multiple non-linear answers?

When root cause analysis branches into multiple non-linear answers, the process safely handles each branch separately. This allows you to trace parallel causal chains and identify distinct corrective actions for each contributing factor.

When should I not use iterative why questioning for debugging?

Iterative why questioning is less suitable for debugging when a failure has a single, immediately obvious technical error, or when time-critical incidents require immediate mitigation before conducting a structured post-mortem analysis.