Chapter 5 – Test Management
5 Whys – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
An iterative interrogative technique used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem.
In simple words
Ask 'why?' five times to drill from symptom to root cause.
Exam tip
Simple, cheap, and often the first RCA technique to try.
Related terms
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