5W1H
5W1H is a foundational framework used for problem-solving, planning, decision-making, and analysis. Also known as the Kipling Method, it structures information by asking six fundamental questions: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Who: Identifies the people, stakeholders, or target audience involved.
What: Describes the situation, core product, or specific problem.
Where: Pinpoints the location, platform, or environment.
When: Establishes the timeline, deadline, or duration.
Why: Explains the reasons, objectives, or pain points.
How: Details the methods, resources, and steps to execute. [1, 2]
It is widely used across investigative journalism, marketing analytics, UX design, and business management to gather context and prevent premature assumptions. [1, 2, 3]