---
title: "4.2.6. Data collection tool: 3Ws vs 5Ws"
slug: "426-data-collection-tool-3ws-vs-5ws"
updated: 2025-08-27T08:05:23Z
published: 2025-08-27T08:05:23Z
canonical: "handbook.fscluster.org/426-data-collection-tool-3ws-vs-5ws"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://handbook.fscluster.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 4.2.6. Data collection tool: 3Ws vs 5Ws

At the onset of an emergency, you may use a simpler tool known as the [3Ws](https://humanitarian.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/imtoolbox/pages/214499412/Who+does+What+Where+3W), which solely aims to understand Who is doing What and Where. As a response develops, you may find that the initial 3Ws is upgraded to a 5Ws, as a need for a more detailed analysis emerges. OCHA developed a [global 3Ws](https://3w.unocha.org/); it is notable that a global 5Ws is not currently active, this is largely because the How Much/ Many is complex and dynamic (see below section [4.3.2. Beneficiary Counting](/im/docs/432-data-analysis-beneficiary-counting)).

Who, What, Where, When, with How Many

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs