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- July 19, 2023
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When something goes wrong in agile software development, getting to the root of the problem is essential. But the presenting problem is often just a symptom of a deeper issue. One technique to uncover the actual cause is to practice the “five whys.”
The five whys technique is simple but effective. When faced with a problem, ask why it happened or what caused it. Then, with that answer, ask why again, and so on, until you’ve asked “why” at least five times. By the fourth or fifth “why,” you’ll often discover some interesting problems you may not have been aware of.
For example, let’s say that the presenting problem is that the team missed a deadline for a project. The first “why” might be that they underestimated the work involved. The second “why” might be that they didn’t properly scope the project. The third “why” might be that they didn’t communicate effectively with stakeholders. And so on.
By digging deeper into the problem, the team can identify the root cause and make changes to prevent similar issues in the future. The five whys technique can also identify areas for improvement that may not be immediately obvious.
When I practice the “five whys,” I often discover the underlying issues that allowed the problem to exist in the first place. Knowing this solves the problem at hand but also addresses a whole class of problems I can eliminate in the future.
Creating a safe and open environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas is essential to make the most of this technique. Encourage everyone to ask “why” and share their perspectives. By working together to get to the root of the problem, the team can make more informed decisions and improve their processes over time.
In summary, the “five whys” technique is a simple but effective way to get to the root of a problem in agile software development. By asking “why” multiple times, the team can uncover more profound issues that may be contributing to the problem. Creating a safe and open environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas is crucial to make the most of this technique. With practice, the team can learn to use the five whys to improve their processes and work better.
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