Advancing Compliance Maturity Through the Five Whys Methodology: A Strategic Framework for Root Cause Analysis and Continuous Improvement

This article critically examines the Five Whys methodology within the context of regulatory compliance, emphasizing its role as a structured root cause analysis tool that transcends traditional reactive approaches. It situates the method historically and practically, corroborates its efficacy through empirical evidence, explores organizational adoption challenges, and illustrates its application through case studies in cybersecurity and logistics. The article concludes by highlighting the Five Whys’ strategic potential to enhance compliance maturity, operational performance, and ethical governance, particularly in the era of rapid technological advancement enabling more sophisticated risk management capabilities