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5W1H Method
The 5W1H Method is a systematic approach to understanding and communicating complex information. It ensures comprehensive coverage of all essential aspects of a topic through six fundamental questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. This method helps in gathering complete information, structuring thoughts, and presenting ideas clearly and logically.
10min
Structured Communication
Project PlanningProblem AnalysisInformation GatheringReport Writing

Framework Steps

"

Who

Identify all relevant stakeholders, participants, or people involved in the situation.

Key Points

  • Include both direct and indirect stakeholders
  • Consider roles and responsibilities
  • Think about the target audience

Key Sentence Structures

  1. The key stakeholders involved are...
  2. This impacts/affects...
  3. The team responsible consists of...
"

What

Define the specific action, event, problem, or situation being addressed.

Key Points

  • Be specific and concrete
  • Focus on observable facts
  • Include relevant details

Key Sentence Structures

  1. The main issue/situation is...
  2. This involves...
  3. The key aspects include...
"

When

Establish the timeline, duration, and temporal aspects of the situation.

Key Points

  • Specify exact dates and times
  • Include duration and frequency
  • Consider timing implications

Key Sentence Structures

  1. This occurred/will occur...
  2. The timeline involves...
  3. The duration will be...
"

Where

Specify the location, venue, or context where the situation occurs.

Key Points

  • Be specific about physical location
  • Include virtual spaces if relevant
  • Consider geographical implications

Key Sentence Structures

  1. This takes place at...
  2. The location involves...
  3. The venue will be...
"

Why

Explain the purpose, reasons, or motivation behind the situation.

Key Points

  • Clarify primary objectives
  • Explain underlying motivations
  • Include business justification

Key Sentence Structures

  1. The main purpose is...
  2. This is important because...
  3. The key motivation is...
"

How

Detail the method, process, or approach to address the situation.

Key Points

  • Outline specific steps
  • Include resource requirements
  • Consider constraints and limitations

Key Sentence Structures

  1. The approach involves...
  2. This will be accomplished by...
  3. The process includes...

Practice Guide

1. Content Preparation

  • Prepare a structured checklist covering all 6 questions
  • Gather all relevant information before starting
  • Research background information if needed
  • Identify key stakeholders and their requirements

2. Key Points of Expression

Who 15%What 20%When 10%Where 10%Why 20%How 25%
  • Use clear, concise language for each answer
  • Maintain logical flow between different aspects
  • Support statements with specific evidence or examples
  • Ensure all aspects are interconnected coherently

3. Practice Methods

1
Start with a familiar topic for initial practice
2
Record answers for each question separately
3
Review and refine responses
4
Practice combining answers into a cohesive narrative

Key Inspection Points

Comprehensive coverage
Logical connection
Specific details
Clear expression

Example Analysis

Project Launch Analysis

Basic Case
Who

The project team includes the product manager, development team, marketing team, and key stakeholders from sales and customer support.

What

Launch of a new mobile application for corporate wellness tracking.

When

The project will launch in Q3 2024, with development starting in January and beta testing in June.

Where

The app will be launched initially in North America, available on iOS and Android platforms.

Why

To address growing demand for corporate wellness solutions and capture market share in the rapidly expanding health tech sector.

How

Through an agile development process, phased testing, and coordinated marketing campaign, supported by customer feedback and data analytics.

Highlight Analysis

Clear identification of all stakeholders and their roles
Specific timeline with key milestones
Well-defined market focus and launch strategy
Comprehensive implementation approach

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