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Step Two: Determine the Causal Relationships
Follow each cause path to the point of ignorance, and when you
reach your collective point of ignorance, go back to square one (the
primary effect) and start asking why again (this represents one loop in
the Square One Loop). Try to identify causes between the causes and
look for branches (actions and conditions) each time you go through
the loop. Repeat the Square One Loop several times or until the ends of
every cause path become fuzzy—your point of ignorance. If you want to
make assumptions or express opinions, do so within reason. You should
be looking for missing causal relationships and making sure you have
identified all the causes in each causal element. A good question to ask
at this point is “do the causes we currently have always cause the same
effect, or are there some other causes needed.” This is a test of sufficiency.
For example: Every time a car hits another car, does it result in damage
The answer is no, it requires sufficient force to cause damage, so you may
need to add a conditional cause that expresses the measure of a cause,
be it force, volume, size, or some other measure.
Focusing on “Caused By” as the connecting phrase will minimize
unnecessary analysis and storytelling. As you go through the Square One
Loop, say, “[The effect] was caused by” with no inflection. Saying “caused
by” with a question in your voice elicits a narrow response because it
implies one answer. If this does not elicit discussion in your group, ask “why
is this cause here,” or state the effect and simply ask why. Asking why with
no inflection elicits a broader response because it implies no boundaries.
A brief note on the use of the word “ignorance.” Like the word “failure,”
most people get very uncomfortable with these terms because they seem
to imply some sort of insult. Understanding our ignorance and our failures
is the path to understanding and knowledge, so if these words cause you
some angst, turn this around and see them in the positive light they are
intended. To do otherwise is a failed strategy—see chapter thirteen for
more discussion.
End Each Cause Path with a Question Mark or a Reason for Stopping
Our purpose in asking why is to find our point of ignorance, not
to show how smart we are. We need to embrace our ignorance, which
should be quite easy now that we understand the notion of the infinite
set of causes that is reality. When you get to your point of ignorance, insert
a question mark to denote your lack of knowledge and the need to get
more information. RealityCharting® allows you to insert a question mark
and the text “More Information Needed” with the click of the mouse and
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