Why?
Kate
MikeGoal
This immersive activity gives learners the opportunity to practice systems thinking by challenging them to uncover the root causes of problems by systematically asking "why." The purpose is to foster a deeper understanding of issues, encouraging learners to move beyond surface-level observations and explore the interconnected layers of challenges.
Materials
Instructions
Introduction and Demonstration
Begin with a brief overview of the importance of exploring root causes in problem-solving.
Let the group know you’re going to practice getting at the root of a problem by asking the question “why” repeatedly.
Demonstrate the activity to the entire group using two example problems (examples are provided or you can come up with your own). Have the learners ask you why after each statement. After the last why, invite the learners to share what they think the root cause of the problem is.
Example 1: Burning your pizza
Problem: "I burnt my pizza in the oven"
Why? "Because I forgot to set a timer."
Why? "Because I was zoned out binge-watching my favorite TV show."
Why? "Because I wanted to unwind after a stressful day at work."
Why? “Because I have multiple deadlines all due at the same time”.
Root Cause: "Overloaded work schedule and stress management"
Example 2: Poor food quality/selection in the community
Problem: "Local businesses in our community are frequently out-of-stock and experience delays in receiving goods."
Why? "Because the transportation infrastructure isn’t good enough."
Why? "Because there is a lack of investment in upgrading and maintaining transportation routes."
Why? "Because of budget constraints and competing priorities at the territorial government level."
Root Cause: "Budget constraints and competing priorities affecting transportation infrastructure investment."
Pairing and Assignment
Assign learners into pairs
Provide each pair with two "problem" statements from the list of examples.
Instruct learners that they will be working together to identify the root cause of the problems assigned to them.
One participant reads the problem statement, and the other asks "why" to identify the immediate cause.
The process continues with learners alternating roles until they reach the root cause.
Emphasize the depth of exploration by encouraging learners to ask "Why+" (add more words) for a more detailed understanding.
Ex: Why were you zoned out watching your favourite show?
Encourage learners to work together to get to the root cause. The person asking why can also share their ideas and thoughts to the answer why if they have them.
Have learners swap roles once they’ve gotten to the root of their first example.
Group Share back
Bring the group back and ask people to share the problems they were exploring and the root causes they got to.
Ask learners to add to or contribute to the root causes of others, adding insights and knowledge from the group.
Root Cause Identification and Action Plan
Once the root causes are identified, guide learners to brainstorm possible action plans to address the problem.
“If you were trying to solve this problem, where could you start?”
Encourage creativity and thoughtful consideration of potential solutions.
Some of these root causes are large and structural challenges, so individual actions might include advocacy or contacting people in power to express needs/desires for change.
Background
Preparation
Organize the learners in pairs (breakout rooms online)
Prepare the list of localized problem examples
Technology Considerations
Prepare breakout rooms and example problem cards in advance (use stickies or notes in a digital whiteboard).
Additional Context
Highlight the significance of understanding root causes in addressing complex issues and its application in various aspects of life.
Knowing the root cause of big problems, and also smaller problems, is really important. It can help with creating large scale social change, but also help us as individuals with things like goal setting, motivation, etc…
Tips for Localization
Encourage participants to share local problems (big and small) in advance, ensuring relevance to their community or to what is most important to them.
Learners can also come up with their own problems for the activity on the spot - ensure that what they choose is relevant and safe for discussion by all.
Opt for smaller problems to allow for thorough exploration within the given time frame.
Debrief Questions
What did you find valuable in exploring the root causes of the problems?
How did this activity deepen your understanding of the challenges presented?
Were there any surprises or insights during the process?
How can you apply the principles of exploring root causes in your everyday life or business ventures?
In what ways can a deeper understanding of root causes lead to more effective problem-solving in your community?
Appendix A - List of Example “Problems”:
Reminder, in advance of this activity, you can invite learners to share a problem from their own community (big or small).
There are too many stray dogs in the community
There’s no way to get around unless you have a car
There’s nowhere for young people to go in the evenings
I can never find matching socks when I need them
I don’t have any matching lids for my tupperware
There aren’t any part-time jobs available
The wait time at the health clinic is so long
There are frequent internet outages
There’s garbage all over the park
Low seasons (tourism wise) are difficult for small businesses
I get too many notifications on my phone
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