This document provides an overview of the 5 Whys root cause analysis tool. The 5 Whys involves asking "why" five times to determine the root cause of a problem. It should address why something was made incorrectly and why it was not detected. While typically involving five questions, the number is flexible based on the complexity of the problem. When applying the 5 Whys, clearly define the problem, ask full questions, and follow the thought process without jumping to conclusions. The goal is to identify systemic causes that allow problems rather than just surface explanations.