- Free Version: Available for teams of up to 10
- Pricing: Premium plan $24/month (with free 30-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available on mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
SafetyCulture (iAuditor)
Why Use SafetyCulture?
SafetyCulture offers comprehensive solutions for facilitating an effective 5 whys analysis. Managers can utilize this platform’s intuitive 5 whys templates to guide their teams in identifying the root causes of workplace issues. They also no longer need to worry about losing papers, for all 5 whys data go into a single location for easy access and better organization.
As a 5 whys software, SafetyCulture doesn’t stop at analyzing problems; it empowers teams to take steps to resolve them. With SafetyCulture’s customization capabilities, managers can assign action items to the right person, set a priority level and due date for each task, and monitor their progress in real-time. This platform enables them to determine issues clearly and promptly respond to them.
Features:
- Conduct 5 whys using a customizable and free and easy-to-use 5 whys template to analyze existing issues with greater depth.
- Attach photos and/or videos to further describe the issue in detail.
- Assign action items, with their priority level and due date, for mitigating workplace problems effectively.
- Store, organize, and access 5 whys data in one location for a single source of truth with cloud-based recordkeeping.
- Protect confidential information through secure data storage and permission settings.
- Automatically save your data even when offline and sync them once your internet connection is restored.
- Export necessary data and open them in a spreadsheet for easier review.
- Generate custom 5 whys reports with your company logo and branding in PDF, Web, and Word formats.
- Share the results of your analysis with your team members or select individuals using access controls.
- Determine recurring trends across the business for a more informed decision-making process using the analytics dashboard.
- Build an easy workflow through integrations and visualize your 5 whys analysis roadmap.
Why Use EasyRCA?
EasyRCA is a 5 whys software designed to help managers simplify their problem-solving process with digital tools. This 5 whys analysis tool allows them to build simple logic trees from existing 5 whys templates, collaborate with their team in a single space, and create root cause analysis (RCA) reports for documenting common workplace issues.
Features:
- 5 Whys and other RCA chart templates
- Report generation
- Team collaboration tools
- Real-time dashboards
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Single User plan starts at $2,500 per year (with a 7-day free trial)
- Platforms supported: Web
Why Use Causelink?
Causelink offers powerful tools for various root cause analysis methods, including 5 whys. As a 5 whys software, it allows managers to collect information, capture evidence, and organize their findings in a single location. Easily create a 5 whys report through its drag-and-drop functionality, and observe cause patterns with a clean visual output.
Features:
- 5 Whys analysis diagram
- Standard reporting tools
- Incident timeline
- Groups and permissions
- User management and admin access
- File generation to PDF, DOCX, and CSV formats
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Individual User Plan starts at $384 per year (with a 14-day free trial)
- Platforms supported: Web and mobile devices
Why Use EdApp?
EdApp by SafetyCulture is a micro-learning platform offering courses in root cause investigation methods, including 5 whys. Through this web-based and mobile-based app, managers can train their teams to clearly state workplace problems and determine their roots. Moreover, its bite-sized, gamified approach allows employees to retain information better for future 5 whys analysis. Improve the way you perform 5 whys analysis with quality training from EdApp.
Features:
- Customize or build your own 5 whys training course from EdApp’s course library.
- Boost knowledge retention using spaced repetitions between lessons.
- Receive real-time updates for better visibility on course progress.
- Provide quality training to employees in a secure and accessible platform.
- Receive round-the-clock support via live chat when assistance is needed.
- Free Version: Free plan available
- Pricing: Plans start at $2.95 per user per month (with a 30-day free trial)
- Platforms supported: Available on mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why Use Riskconnect?
Riskonnect is a 5 whys software offering solutions for standardizing risk and cause analysis practices. This 5 whys analysis tool streamlines the process to help managers delve deeper into risks once the problem statement is mentioned, discover their origins, and resolve them in a systematic approach. With a singular view of 5 whys data, they can break down the causes into different categories and uncover areas for improvement.
Features:
- 5 Whys and other RCA tools
- Centralized timeline
- Cause of events schema
- Collaboration tools
- Corrective action management
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Custom pricing
- Platforms supported: Web
What is a 5 Whys Software?
A 5 whys software is a tool used by managers and their teams in conducting a 5 whys analysis to solve problems. With a 5 whys software, you can facilitate effective analysis sessions, foster better team collaboration, and immediately follow through on corrective actions with an effective action plan. As a web and mobile application, it enables your team to use free customizable templates to delve deeper into the root cause of problems and issues in the workplace.
Why is a 5 Whys Tool Important?
The 5 Whys method is a problem-solving tool for identifying and rectifying the root of the problem—when it is done right. A sound 5 whys analysis is crucial to ensuring that the root cause—not just another symptom—of the problem is detected as early as possible and solved for good.
A 5 whys software can help save time, effort, and resources from solving recurring problems. It can also function as a project management tool that increases efficiency with the way teams do things. Listed below are three of the best benefits your team can experience from a 5 whys analysis that’s done right:
- Implement solutions that actually work to prevent recurrence of the issues.
- Cultivate a mindset that continuously seeks to solve root causes.
- Boost employee morale by letting them see that their actions can make a difference.
Key Features
Building a culture of root-cause problem-solving seems to be a daunting task at first, but with the right tools, such as a 5 whys software, your team can efficiently get started. Here are ten different ways to make the most out of a 5 whys analysis tool:
- Analysis: With a 5 whys template on any mobile device, you and your team are directed on a step-by-step process in determining the root cause of the problem.
- Data Collection: Supporting documents and/or photo and video evidence can be easily added to your auto-generated report—even before leaving the 5 whys analysis session.
- Data Organization: Information collected in the 5 whys software is automatically organized into beautiful graphs and can also be filtered by field responses.
- Corrective and Preventive Action: To-do tasks can be assigned during the 5 whys analysis or as a standalone action upon identifying areas of immediate need, either for correction or prevention.
- Follow-through: Your team can receive notifications via the mobile app or email when you assign an action to them, so they can remember doing their part in correcting the root cause of the problem.
- Collaboration: Some 5 whys analysis tools can include a mobile messaging feature, so your teams can discuss the details of corrective action, provide updates, and change its status.
- Documentation: All reports are safely stored in the 5 whys software, which can be easily accessed by authorized personnel anytime, anywhere.
- Communication: 5 whys results can be exported as PDF or document files and sent to stakeholders via Gmail, Slack, and other mobile messaging apps.
- Recordkeeping: Prove compliance with applicable regulations or standards by having an online library of properly-documented corrective actions formed over time.
- Scheduling: Whenever needed, you can always set a reminder that automates notifications for another 5 whys analysis session with your team, along with the required templates and checklists.
Choosing the Right Software
Now that you know what features and functionalities to look for, it’s time to select a suitable platform that could cater to your business needs. Most 5 whys software are built with robust problem-solving tools plus cause and effect capability, but they often vary in terms of the scope and depth of analyses they allow, along with the platforms they support.
To help you keep track of business risks and choose the best 5 whys software, we have rounded up our top picks:
- Best for simple and complex 5 whys analyses: SafetyCulture
- Best for simple 5 whys analysis and visualization: EasyRCA
- Best for enterprise-level 5 whys analysis: Causelink
- Best for 5 whys analysis training: EdApp by SafetyCulture
- Best for 5 whys analysis on risk management systems: Riskonnect
See the table below for a more detailed comparison of our top 5 whys software.
| App or Software | Free Version | Lowest Paid Plan Price | Free Trial | Web | Mobile |
| SafetyCulture | Yes | $19* | Yes, 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| EasyRCA | No | $2,500 | Yes, 7 days | Yes | No |
| Causelink | No | $384 | Yes, 14 days | Yes | Yes** |
| EdApp by SafetyCulture | Yes | $1.95* | Yes, 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| Riskonnect | No | Custom pricing | No | Yes | No |
*price per user, per month
**works for mobile browsers
