The "5 whys" is most likely a tool designed to help determine a problem's:

The "5 whys" is a problem-solving technique that aims to explore the underlying causes of a problem by asking "why" multiple times—typically five. This iterative questioning encourages a deeper investigation into the problem and prevents superficial or surface-level reasoning. By focusing on root causes, practitioners can identify what truly needs to be addressed in order to eliminate the problem rather than just treating its symptoms.

This process is particularly effective in disciplines like quality management and continuous improvement, where understanding the core issue is essential to implementing lasting solutions. Identifying root causes allows organizations to address the fundamental issues rather than merely dealing with the manifestations of those issues.

The other options, such as symptoms, success criteria, and consequences, do not capture the essence of what the "5 whys" methodology is designed to uncover. Symptoms are often the visible manifestations of underlying problems, success criteria define what success looks like but do not address problems, and consequences refer to the outcomes of issues rather than their causes. Thus, using the "5 whys" directly pertains to uncovering root causes, making it the most appropriate choice.