Level 2 exam — Creativity & Problem Solving

Exam — fresh questions

12 questions: recall (~20%) + application (~50%) + arbitration dilemma (~30%) on cause/symptom, 5 whys, Ishikawa, 5W1H and reformulation.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

2.1 · Recall

1. What is the difference between cause and symptom?

The symptom runs deep None The symptom is visible; the cause is what produces it The cause is visible

Treating the symptom without the cause lets the problem return.

2.1 · Application

2. How to recognize you treated a symptom?

The cause changes Nothing The problem disappears for good The problem returns

If the « solved » problem reappears, you treated the manifestation, not the origin.

2.1 · Arbitration

3. What does NOT make a good problem statement?

A disguised solution in the statement The cause/symptom distinction The right problem targeted A factual wording

« We need more staff » presupposes the answer: frame with no hidden solution.

2.2 · Recall

4. What do the 5 whys seek?

A culprit The root cause The quick fix The symptom

Dig « why? » layer by layer to the actionable origin.

2.2 · Application

5. Is the number « 5 » a strict rule?

No, always 3 Yes, never fewer Yes, exactly 5 No, indicative: dig to the actionable

Stop at an actionable cause whose resolution prevents the problem's return.

2.2 · Arbitration

6. Which is NOT a limit of the 5 whys?

Too fast to apply Assumes correct answers Single linear chain Depends on the person

Its speed is an asset; its limits are correct answers, linearity and personal bias.

2.3 · Application

7. What does the Ishikawa diagram map?

Solutions All cause families of a problem Votes The schedule

As « fishbones », it sweeps all cause categories (5M).

2.3 · Application

8. What do the 5Ms stand for?

Five markets Five minutes Manpower, Machine, Method, Material, Milieu Five measurements

These are the classic cause families, to adapt to the field.

2.3 · Arbitration

9. How to combine Ishikawa and 5 whys?

5 whys first always Never together They exclude each other Ishikawa for breadth, 5 whys for depth

Map all families (Ishikawa) then dig likely causes (5 whys).

2.4 · Application

10. What is 5W1H for?

Describing a situation completely Voting Prototyping Deciding

Six questions (Who/What/Where/When/How/Why) for a complete factual portrait.

2.4 · Application

11. How to answer the 5W1H questions?

With interpretations With verified facts With opinions With solutions

Collect facts before interpreting: it's a description tool.

2.5 · Arbitration

12. Why rephrase as « How might we…? »

To measure To describe causes To open the search for solutions To decide fast

The open, positive question mobilizes and starts brainstorming.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: level 2 validated — on to Level 3 V3 (design thinking, 6 hats, lateral thinking, empathy map, combining methods by context).
Score < 80%: redo cards 2.1 to 2.5 via the 48h challenge (framing card, 5-whys chain, 5M Ishikawa fish, 5W1H grid + How much, 3 HMW versions), then retry the exam.