Basic 5 Whys Root Cause Canvas
Start with a problem, ask Why repeatedly, attach evidence, and track corrective actions on a simple visual 5 Whys canvas.
What this tool does
Basic 5 Whys Root Cause Canvas helps you move from an initial problem statement to a connected chain of possible causes. Add evidence to each branch, expand the analysis with Ask Why, record corrective actions, and keep the work saved locally in your browser.
Who this is for
- Small teams conducting a quick incident or quality review
- Students and facilitators learning the 5 Whys method
- Operators who want a lightweight root-cause canvas without installing software
- Anyone who needs evidence and follow-up actions beside a problem tree
How to use this tool
- Enter the initial problem statement and any evidence or observation details
- Choose Add Problem to Canvas to create the first node
- Use Ask Why? on a node to add a connected cause, and repeat to build the chain
- Edit statements, add or revise evidence, and add corrective actions as causes become clearer
- Tick action checkboxes as work is completed and use zoom or reset view to navigate the canvas
- Export the analysis as JSON or import a previous JSON file to continue the work
Inputs
- Problem statement — The event, defect, or outcome you want to investigate
- Evidence details — Optional logs, observations, or facts supporting the problem
- Why questions — Follow-up cause statements added to any node
- Corrective actions — Tasks attached to the analysis for follow-through
- JSON files — Import and export controls for saved analyses
Outputs
- Visual cause tree — A connected sequence of problem and Why nodes
- Evidence notes — Supporting details displayed with the relevant branch
- Action checklist — Corrective actions that can be edited and marked complete
- Local persistence — The current canvas is saved in browser storage
- JSON backup — A downloadable file containing the analysis data
Example use cases
- Quick incident review — Capture what happened and ask successive Why questions
- Corrective-action planning — Turn likely causes into a short, checkable action list
- Training exercise — Demonstrate how evidence changes a root-cause discussion
Frequently asked questions
What is the 5 Whys method?
The 5 Whys method repeatedly asks why a problem occurred until the team reaches a deeper contributing cause instead of stopping at the visible symptom.
Is my analysis saved automatically?
Yes. The canvas is stored in this browser’s local storage. Export the JSON file if you need a portable backup.
Can I add corrective actions?
Yes. Add actions to the relevant cause node, edit them as needed, and mark them complete from the action checklist.
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