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Find the real reason a problem keeps coming back

It labels every cause as evidence or a guess, so you don't fix the wrong thing on a hunch.

About 5 minutes Just copy and paste

Published . Steps as of October 2026.

How do I find the root cause of a problem that keeps happening?

Ask the AI to run the 5 Whys on it, label each cause as evidence or a guess, and give one test to confirm the root cause. It fits repeat problems with a pattern, like no-shows, late invoices or a kid who's late every morning. For a one-off mess, a simple list of fixes is faster. Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude all work for this.

A sketch of what you'll get back.

Your prompt

Fill in your details. Skip any you like.

ChatGPT and Claude open with your prompt already typed in. Gemini can't be filled in from a link, so its button copies your prompt: paste it into the new chat.

The prompt that gets copied

Something keeps going wrong: [THE PROBLEM, e.g. clients cancel their second session]. Here's what I've noticed: [WHAT YOU NOTICED, e.g. most cancel by text the day before]. I've already tried [WHAT YOU TRIED, e.g. a reminder email two days ahead]. Use the 5 Whys method on it. For each why, give the likely cause, label it EVIDENCE or GUESS based only on what I told you, and say how I could check it. If the chain turns into pure guessing, stop and tell me. Finish with the most likely root cause and one small, cheap test that would confirm it this week. Ask me up to three questions first if something important is missing.

Describe a problem that keeps happening and the AI walks it back five layers, marking each cause as evidence or a guess. You end with the likely root cause and one test to confirm it.

Step by step

  1. Write the problem in one sentence, plus what you've noticed and already tried.
  2. Paste the prompt below into Gemini, ChatGPT or Claude and fill it in.
  3. Run the one test it suggests before you spend money on a fix.

What you'll get

A five-step chain of causes, each marked evidence or guess, ending in the likely root cause and one test to run.

Made for
Everyone, Small business owners, Coaches
Works in
Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude

Frequently Asked Questions.

How do I find the root cause of a problem that keeps happening?

Ask the AI to run the 5 Whys on it, label each cause as evidence or a guess, and give one test to confirm the root cause. It fits repeat problems with a pattern, like no-shows, late invoices or a kid who's late every morning. For a one-off mess, a simple list of fixes is faster. Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude all work for this.

Which AI tools does this work in?

It works in Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude. On this page, ChatGPT and Claude open with your prompt already typed in. No paid plan is noted for this one.

How long does it take?

About 5 minutes. It's rated "Just copy and paste". There are 3 steps, listed above.

What do I need before I start?

Just your details for 3 blanks: the problem, what you noticed and what you tried. You can skip any, and your AI will ask for them.

What will I get back?

A five-step chain of causes, each marked evidence or guess, ending in the likely root cause and one test to run.

Find more like this in Better decisions, For small business, For coaches and Claude prompts.

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