Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Javier Navarro, in May. 2017
This combination of numbers and letters is no code secret, not the name of a robot, or anything like it. It is actually a simplified way of establishing a draft business. With it it is possible to clarify the real situation of a business plan. In this sense, 5W2H must be understood as a management tool to define a series of aspects aimed at the productivity. Like most terms of the economy global, its original content is expressed in English.
Breaking down its parts
The number 5 refers to five questions on which a specific answer must be provided.
- The first one is the what or what in English, that is, what should be done.
- The second w refers to the question why or why.
- The third is where or where.
- The fourth is when or when,
- and the fifth indicates who or who.
All these questions have to be answered in a simple and clear way, since it is not a question of preparing an exhaustive report but of clarifying basic concepts to start an action plan.
Next comes 2H, which involves two questions: how much does it cost and what is the budget for the project (the two haches correspond to how and how much in English).
Possible applications of the 5W2H plan
Is strategy allows you to face very different situations. In this sense, it can help to establish a plan to increase profits, for the recruitment of talents or in relation to a specific service that is offered to clients. However, this methodology It is especially useful for solving specific problems. In this way, when a problem situation appears, the 5W and 2H responses are used to find a solution.
This method of business analysis can be extrapolated to other contexts
Let's imagine an athlete who is considering getting a record. First, you have to know exactly what goal you want to achieve. Next you need to know why you want to do it. Then you will have to determine where you are going to prepare for your goal and when you will put your plan into action. Finally, you will have to answer the how.
If any of these questions does not have a clear answer, it is very likely that the objective has not been raised correctly.
Studying its origin
The first time these numbers and letters were used as an action plan was in Japan, specifically in the planning of the production from the Toyota company. The initial idea of this approach is simple: to solve a problem it is necessary to ask the most appropriate questions in an easy and direct way.
Photos: Fotolia - Nejron / Contrastwerkstatt
Topics in Plan 5W2H