
Root Cause Analysis Tools: Fishbone vs 5-Why vs FMEA—You're Asking the Wrong Question
Teams choose between Fishbone, 5-Why, and FMEA based on which tool they've used before — not based on the problem type. Each tool has a specific fit condition. Using 5-Why on a systemic, multi-cause problem produces a list of symptoms. Using FMEA on a simple process deviation wastes three meetings.

