5W 1H Methodology: The Power of Information Gathering

"The ability to ask the right question is more than half the battle of finding the answer." — Thomas J. Watson

The 5W 1H strategy is just a useful tool, that can be used for different purposes such as in journalism, problem-solving, or project planning. It is all about six important questions that we must ask to get what we need to know. In this heavily loaded information world, everything is available on the internet. To access this information efficiently and effectively one needs to ask the right questions. And that’s where the 5W 1H method becomes much more helpful.

Let's see what each of these questions does:

Who: This question enables us to find out who is involved in the situation. It is like determining the key parties or entities involved.

What: This question helps get to know the main issue. It enables us to concentrate on the critical aspects of the situation.

Where: It’s where the actions are going on. This enables us to know the setting or the place.
When: This question helps us to understand when things happen and in what sequence.

Why: The “why” question digs deep into the reasons behind a situation. It uncovers the real motivations.

How: This is all about knowing how it happens, basically the process.

To use the 5W 1H method effectively, follow these simple steps:

1. Know Your Goal: Start with understanding why you are using this method. What do you hope to learn or accomplish?
2. Ask the Right Questions: Determine which questions (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) are relevant to your aim. It is ok if it is only possible to use some for your goal.
3. Get Information: For each question, gather information. This would involve research, interaction, or data analysis.
4. Write Down Your Findings: Make sure you organize your answers clearly. You may use lists, charts, or mind maps to stay neat.

Let’s have a look at the sample questions on Design Thinking using 5W 1HFollowing are a few examples of mind maps created by first-year engineering students studying Design Thinking at MIT ADT University, Pune.