Using the Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram

The Fishbone Diagram, also called an Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, is used to help identify the causes of a problem. By sorting effects into categories, your team can keep the exercise concise by focusing on smaller, specified areas.

Begin by placing the template in your workspace, deciding on the problem statement, and adding it to the triangle labeled ‘Problem.’ Next, fill in the major categories of causes of the problem, changing the default categories on the template if needed. Discuss and record the individual causes that lead to the greater cause of the category. You can record the smaller causes by replacing the template text or using notecards placed on top of the text. If a cause fits into multiple categories, note this by duplicating the notecard or text and adding it to all relevant categories. Continue the exercise until you have exhausted all ideas.

Have you found success using the Fishbone diagram? Comment down below!

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