- What – needs doing?
- Who – does it?
- Why – does he do it?
- What – method is used?
- When – will it be done?
- Where – is it being done?
- Why – won’t it be done differently?
Related to the 7-W questionnaire is the principle of ‘Go to the source’ (Genkin-butso). This says, in the case of undesirable results or errors, to ask 5 times for the ‘why?’ to achieve a solution. It also says, however, that managers should get an clear picture of the on-site situation, for example a manufacturing process, and not just decide remotely.