drill-five-whys

Purpose

Iteratively ask why, checking evidence at each causal step, to move from symptom toward root cause.

Input contract

required: [symptom_statement, causal_evidence]
optional: [initial_cause, max_depth]
constraints: [each why answer must explain the preceding statement and cite evidence or uncertainty]

Procedure

1. Normalize the symptom as an observable effect.
2. Ask why the effect occurs and record the proposed cause.
3. Test the cause against evidence before asking the next why.
4. Stop at a controllable root, an evidence boundary, or a documented unresolved branch.

Output contract

produces: [why_chain, root_cause_candidate, evidence_gaps]
delta_fields: [findings, assumption_updates, uncertainties]