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Blog Beginner Guides 15+ Fishbone Diagram Examples for Brainstorming Problem Causes

15+ Fishbone Diagram Examples for Brainstorming Problem Causes

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Oct 13, 2023

The fishbone diagram, often referred to as the Ishikawa diagram or cause and effect diagram, is a powerful visualization tool that elucidates the intricate web of contributing factors behind a specific problem or issue. Characterized by its unique bone structure, it places the problem statement at the fish’s head, branching out to the various causes categorized into major segments.

The primary purpose of a fishbone diagram is to break down complex problems into understandable components, enabling team members to efficiently brainstorm and analyze causal relationships, making it indispensable in areas like quality management and root cause analysis.

Whether you’re aiming to delve deep into the causes of climate change or dissect the factors behind a the fishbone diagram provides a clear visual representation, highlighting the cause and effect relationship and underscoring the value of systematic problem solving.

For those eager to harness the potential of this great tool, Venngage offers a robust diagram maker . With customizable fishbone diagram templates , it empowers users to craft their diagrams effortlessly. These templates are meticulously designed to help you place ideas in the appropriate category, ensuring a comprehensive and organized cause and effect analysis.

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Root cause fishbone diagram example

Cause and effect fishbone diagram example, ishikawa fishbone diagram example, medical fishbone diagram example, climate fishbone diagram example, project management fishbone diagram example, simple fishbone diagram example, how to use a fishbone diagram.

A root cause fishbone diagram, at its core, is a tool specifically tailored to identify, analyze and represent the underlying causes or root causes of a problem. Imagine a scenario where a manufacturing process has a recurring defect. 

In such a scenario, the problem statement or defect would be placed at the fish’s head. As one begins the fishbone analysis, the spine of the fish represents the main flow of the process, with smaller bones branching out. Each of these bones corresponds to a contributing factor or potential cause of the defect.

Utilizing the fishbone diagram for root cause analysis involves gathering team members for a brainstorming session. Here, the group would identify various major categories like “Machinery”, “Manpower”, “Materials”, “Methods”, etc. 

Under each of these categories, multiple factors are explored. For instance, under “Machinery”, potential causes could include outdated equipment, calibration errors or frequent breakdowns. The aim is to determine the root cause, or in some cases, multiple root causes, responsible for the defect. 

The visual representation afforded by the diagram aids in systematically breaking down the problem, ensuring no stone is left unturned.

One of the advantages of using a root cause fishbone diagram is its ability to pinpoint areas that might otherwise be overlooked. It offers a structured approach, helping teams avoid short-term fixes and instead address the deeper, underlying issues. However, it’s crucial to be aware of its disadvantages too. 

The success of the diagram heavily relies on the expertise and insights of the team members. If not all possible causes are considered, the analysis may be incomplete, leading to erroneous conclusions.

The cause and effect fishbone diagram is primarily used to map out the various causes contributing to a specific effect or outcome. For instance, consider a problem statement like “Decreased Sales in Quarter 3”. 

Placed at the head of the fish, this statement becomes the focal point of the analysis. The spine extends outwards, branching into multiple categories that could be influencing this decline.

Starting with a brainstorming session, team members can identify major categories such as “Marketing”, “Product Quality”, “External Factors”, and “Customer Service”. Under “Marketing”, for example, potential causes could be insufficient advertising, poor social media engagement, or ineffective promotional campaigns. 

The aim is to capture all the possible causes contributing to the decline in sales. Through the fishbone diagram’s structured format, teams can effectively map out the causal relationships, understanding how various factors interplay and lead to the overarching problem.

Using the cause and effect fishbone diagram offers a comprehensive overview, helping businesses or teams strategize effectively. They can prioritize areas that need urgent attention and develop strategies for improvement. 

However, like all tools, it has its disadvantages. It requires thoroughness and can become convoluted if too many minor issues are included. Thus, it’s essential to keep the diagram focused on significant, impactful causes to maintain its efficacy as a problem-solving tool.

The Ishikawa fishbone diagram or just fishbone diagram, named after its creator Kaoru Ishikawa, is a powerful visualization tool designed to map out causal relationships concerning a particular problem or issue. Its unique design, reminiscent of a fish’s skeletal structure, places the primary problem or effect at the fish’s head.

From this focal point, the “spine” of the fish extends, leading to branching “bones.” Each branch represents a category or a group of potential contributing factors that lead to the main problem. Often used in root cause analysis and quality management, the Ishikawa diagram breaks down complex issues by categorizing them into major areas such as “People”, “Processes”, “Environment” and more.

This structure allows for an organized exploration of potential causes, ensuring that various perspectives and elements related to the problem are considered.

By facilitating systematic identification and categorization of causes, the Ishikawa fishbone diagram becomes an essential tool in problem-solving and decision-making processes.

In the medical realm, the fishbone diagram finds a specialized application, offering clinicians a structured format to diagnose and understand patient conditions.

Given the critical nature of healthcare, pinpointing the root causes of medical symptoms or conditions becomes paramount. A medical fishbone diagram aids in this by visualizing potential causes related to a specific medical problem or symptom. Categories in a medical context might include “Laboratory Results”, “Patient History”, “Physical Examination Findings” and “Environmental Factors”.

Under each category, various factors or sub-causes can be listed. For instance, “Laboratory Results” could delve into specifics like electrolyte imbalances or abnormal blood cell counts.

The diagram’s visual representation ensures that healthcare professionals can comprehensively analyze patient conditions, considering multiple facets before determining a diagnosis or treatment plan. This systematic approach fosters enhanced patient care and promotes more accurate diagnostic processes.

Designed for meticulous cause and effect analysis, this fishbone diagram delves into the complex problems associated with climate change. Its visual representation, characteristic of the fish’s skeletal structure, places the overarching problem statement — for instance, “Global Warming” — at the fish’s head. From here, multiple categories branch out, representing major aspects such as “Anthropogenic Activities”, “Natural Causes” and “Economic Factors”. 

Each of these major categories further branches out to depict the specific factors contributing to the primary problem. 

The strength of the climate fishbone diagram lies in its ability to present a comprehensive overview, ensuring that all potential causes, whether they relate to deforestation, industrial emissions, or natural volcanic activities, are captured and analyzed. 

It serves as a visualization tool that aids researchers and decision-makers in crafting informed and effective strategies to combat climate-induced challenges.

In project management, where precision and systematic problem solving are paramount, the fishbone diagram finds significant utility. Project delays, cost overruns and unmet objectives often have multifaceted root causes. 

The project management fishbone diagram, an adaptation of the Ishikawa diagram, serves to identify, categorize and analyze these causes. 

Each category delineates into specific contributing factors, ensuring a thorough exploration of all potential issues. The visual format of the diagram aids team members during brainstorming sessions, facilitating the identification of challenges within the project lifecycle. 

By offering a clear visual representation of the cause and effect relationships inherent in project challenges, the project management fishbone diagram stands as an invaluable tool, helping teams to preemptively address issues, optimize processes and enhance overall project execution.

Related: How to Write a Comprehensive Project Management Plan [+ Examples]

For problems that may not be as intricate but still require structured analysis, a simple fishbone diagram becomes the tool of choice. Stripped of excessive categories and branches, the simple fishbone diagram focuses on presenting the main causes of a problem in a straightforward manner. 

Despite its simplicity, the core structure remains consistent: the primary issue or problem statement occupies the fish’s head, while a few major categories branch out from the central spine. This diagram’s strength lies in its accessibility; without delving into overly detailed branches, it offers a clear, concise visualization of the root causes and contributing factors. 

It’s particularly beneficial for quick brainstorming sessions or when introducing the concept of cause and effect analysis to those unfamiliar with the fishbone methodology. 

The simple fishbone diagram, while not exhaustive, provides a foundational framework, promoting structured thought and problem-solving in various contexts.

A fishbone diagram , also known as an Ishikawa or cause and effect diagram, provides a visual representation of potential causes leading to a particular problem or effect. 

It is a structured brainstorming tool that helps teams identify, explore and visually display the many potential causes related to a specific problem.

• Begin your fishbone diagram with the problem statement or the main effect you’re trying to understand. This is written on the right side and represents the fish’s head.
• Draw a horizontal line extending from the problem statement towards the left. This is the fish’s spine and serves as a foundation for the potential causes.
• Identify the major categories of causes. Common categories include “People”, “Processes”, “Equipment”, “Materials” and others, depending on the context. These are the primary bones branching off the central spine.
• Draw diagonal lines or “fishbones” branching off the spine for each major category.
• Under each major category, brainstorm and list down the potential contributing factors or sub-causes. These represent the smaller bones branching out from the primary bones.
• Connect these sub-causes to the respective major category lines using smaller diagonal lines.
• For causes that may have sub-components or more detailed breakdowns, further branch out from the main cause.
• Make sure to clearly label each cause and sub-cause for clarity.
• After the brainstorming session, analyze the diagram to determine the most likely root causes of the problem.
• Once complete, your fishbone diagram should offer a comprehensive visual overview of all the potential causes leading to the main problem. This structure enables teams to better understand the problem, prioritize potential causes and develop effective solutions or interventions.

Related: 10+ Types of Diagrams and How to Choose the Right One

We explored over 15 examples of fishbone diagrams to help you effectively brainstorm the causes of problems. 

This tool, with its visually intuitive structure, serves as a game-changer in analyzing root causes across various fields, from business challenges to technological snags. 

This article doesn’t just present examples but also educates readers on how to harness the power of the fishbone diagram to its fullest. 

For anyone inspired to create their own or seeking specialized templates, Venngage stands out as a go-to resource.

Explore Venngage’s diagram maker and discover an array of pre-designed fishbone diagram templates to kickstart your brainstorming sessions.

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Kaizen is about changing the way things are. If you assume that things are all right the way they are, you can’t do kaizen. So change something! —Taiichi Ohno

Inspect and Adapt

Inspect & adapt: overview.

The Agile Manifesto emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement through the following principle: “At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.”

In addition, SAFe includes ‘relentless improvement’ as one of the four pillars of the SAFe House of Lean as well as a dimension of the Continuous Learning Culture core competency. While opportunities to improve can and should occur continuously throughout the Program Increment (PI) (e.g., Iteration Retrospectives ), applying some structure, cadence, and synchronization helps ensure that there is also time set aside to identify improvements across multiple teams and Agile Release Trains.

All ART stakeholders participate along with the Agile Teams in the I&A event. The result is a set of improvement backlog items that go into the Program Backlog for the next PI Planning event. In this way, every Agile Release Train (ART) improves every PI. For large solutions , a similar I&A event is held by the Solution Train .

The I&A event consists of three parts:

PI System Demo

• Quantitative and qualitative measurement
• Retrospective and problem-solving workshop

Participants in the I&A should be, wherever possible, all the people involved in building the solution. These include for an ART:

• The Agile teams
• Release Train Engineer (RTE)
• System and Solution Architects/Engineering
• Product Management ,  Business Owners , and others on the train

Additionally, Solution Train stakeholders may attend this event.

The PI System Demo is the first part of the I&A, and it’s a little different from the regular system demos that happen after every iteration, in that it is intended to show all the Features that the ART has developed over the course of the PI. Typically the audience is broader, for example, customers or Portfolio representatives are more likely to attend this demo. Therefore, the PI system demo tends to be a little more formal, and some extra preparation and staging are usually required. But like any other system demo, it should be timeboxed to an hour or less, with the level of abstraction high enough to keep stakeholders actively engaged and providing feedback.

Prior to, or as part of the PI system demo, Business Owners collaborate with each Agile team to score the actual business value achieved for each of their Team PI Objectives .

Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement

In the second part of the I&A event, teams collectively review any quantitative and qualitative metrics they have agreed to collect, then discuss the data and trends. In preparation for this, the RTE and the Solution Train Engineer are often responsible for gathering the information, analyzing it to identify potential issues, and facilitating the presentation of the findings to the ART.

One primary metric is the program predictability measure. Each team’s planned vs. actual business value is rolled up to create the program predictability measure, as shown in Figure 2.

Reliable trains should operate in the 80–100 percent range; this allows the business and its external stakeholders to plan effectively. (Note: Uncommitted objectives don’t count toward the commitment but do count toward the actual business value achievement, as can also be seen in Figure 1.)

Retrospective

The teams then run a brief (30 minutes or less) retrospective, the goal of which is to identify a few significant issues they would like to address during the problem-solving workshop . There is no one way to do this; several different Agile retrospective formats can be used [3].

Based on the retrospective, and the nature of the problems identified, the facilitator helps the group decide which issues they want to tackle. Each team may work on a problem, or, more typically, new groups are formed from individuals across different teams who wish to work on the same issue. This self-selection helps provide cross-functional and differing views of the problem, and it brings together those who are impacted and those who are best motivated to address the issue.

Key ART stakeholders—including Business Owners, customers, and management—join the teams in the retrospective and problem-solving workshop. Often it is the Business Owners alone who can unblock the impediments that exist outside the team’s control.

Problem-Solving Workshop

For addressing systemic problems, a structured, root-cause problem-solving workshop is held by the ART. Root cause analysis provides a set of problem-solving tools used to identify the actual causes of a problem, rather than just addressing the symptoms. The session is typically facilitated by the RTE, in a timebox of two hours or less.

Figure 3 illustrates the steps in the problem-solving workshop.

The following sections describe each step of the process.

Agree on the Problem(s) to Solve

American inventor Charles Kettering is credited with the statement that “a problem well stated is a problem half solved.” At this point, the teams have self-selected the problem they want to address. But, do they agree on the details of the problem, or is it more likely that they have differing perspectives? To this end, the teams should spend a few minutes clearly stating the problem, highlighting the ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, and ‘impact’ as succinctly as they can. Figure 4 illustrates a well-written problem statement.

Perform Root Cause Analysis

Effective problem-solving tools include the fishbone diagram and the ‘5 Whys.’ Also known as an Ishikawa Diagram , a fishbone diagram is a visual tool used to explore the causes of specific events or sources of variation in a process. Figure 5 illustrates the fishbone diagram with a summary of the previous problem statement written at the head of the ‘fish.’

For our problem-solving workshop, we preload the main bones with the categories people, process, tools, program, and environment. However, these may be adapted as appropriate.

Team members then brainstorm causes that they think contribute to the problem to be solved and group them into these categories. Once a cause is identified, its root cause is explored with the 5 Whys technique. By simply asking ‘why’ multiple times, the cause of the previous cause is uncovered, and added to the diagram. The process stops once a suitable root cause has been identified and the same process is then applied to the next cause.

Identify the Biggest Root Cause

Pareto Analysis , also known as the 80/20 rule, is a technique used to narrow down the number of actions that produce the most significant overall effect. It uses the principle that 20 percent of the causes are responsible for 80 percent of the problem. It’s especially useful when many possible courses of action are competing for attention, which is almost always the case with complex, systemic issues.

Once all the possible causes-of-causes have been identified, team members then cumulatively vote on the item they think is the most significant factor contributing to the original problem. They can do this by dot voting (five votes are allocated to each person, which can be spread among one or more items as they see fit) on the causes they think are most problematic. The team then summarizes the votes in a Pareto chart, such as the example in Figure 6, which illustrates their collective consensus on the most significant root cause.

Restate the New Problem

The next step is to pick the cause with the most votes and restate it clearly as a problem. This should take only a few minutes or so, as the teams have a good understanding of this root cause by now.

Brainstorm Solutions

At this point, the restated problem will start to imply some potential solutions. The team brainstorms as many possible corrective actions as they can think of within a fixed timebox (about 15–30 minutes). The rules of brainstorming apply here:

• Generate as many ideas as possible
• Do not allow criticism or debate
• Let the imagination soar
• Explore and combine ideas

Create Improvement Backlog Items

The team then cumulatively votes on up to three most likely solutions. These are rephrased as improvement stories and features to be fed directly into the PI Planning event that follows. During that event, the RTE helps ensure that the relevant work needed to deliver the identified improvements is planned. This closes the loop, thus ensuring that action will be taken and that people and resources are dedicated as necessary to improve the current state.

In this way, problem-solving becomes routine and systematic, and team members and ART stakeholders can be assured that the train is solidly on its journey of relentless improvement.

Inspect and Adapt at the Large Solution Level

The above describes a rigorous approach to problem-solving in the context of a single ART. If the ART is part of a Solution Train the I&A event will often include key stakeholders from the Large Solution level. In larger value streams, however, an additional large solution level I&A event may be required, following the same format.

Due to the number of people in a Solution Train, attendees at the large solution I&A event cannot include everyone, so stakeholders are selected that are best suited to address the problems faced. This includes the primary stakeholders of the Solution Train, as well as representatives from the various ARTs and Suppliers .

Last update: 10 February 2021

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• What Is a Fishbone Diagram? | Templates & Examples

What Is a Fishbone Diagram? | Templates & Examples

Published on January 2, 2023 by Tegan George . Revised on January 29, 2024.

A fishbone diagram is a problem-solving approach that uses a fish-shaped diagram to model possible root causes of problems and troubleshoot possible solutions. It is also called an Ishikawa diagram, after its creator, Kaoru Ishikawa, as well as a herringbone diagram or cause-and-effect diagram.

Fishbone diagrams are often used in root cause analysis , to troubleshoot issues in quality management or product development. They are also used in the fields of nursing and healthcare, or as a brainstorming and mind-mapping technique many students find helpful.

Table of contents

How to make a fishbone diagram, fishbone diagram templates, fishbone diagram examples, advantages and disadvantages of fishbone diagrams, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about fishbone diagrams.

A fishbone diagram is easy to draw, or you can use a template for an online version.

• Your fishbone diagram starts out with an issue or problem. This is the “head” of the fish, summarized in a few words or a small phrase.
• Next, draw a long arrow, which serves as the fish’s backbone.
• From here, you’ll draw the first “bones” directly from the backbone, in the shape of small diagonal lines going right-to-left. These represent the most likely or overarching causes of your problem.
• Branching off from each of these first bones, create smaller bones containing contributing information and necessary detail.
• When finished, your fishbone diagram should give you a wide-view idea of what the root causes of the issue you’re facing could be, allowing you to rank them or choose which could be most plausible.

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There are no built-in fishbone diagram templates in Microsoft programs, but we’ve made a few free ones for you to use that you can download below. Alternatively, you can make one yourself using the following steps:

• In a fresh document, go to Insert > Shapes
• Draw a long arrow from left to right, and add a text box on the right-hand side. These serve as the backbone and the head of the fish.
• Next, add lines jutting diagonally from the backbone. These serve as the ribs, or the contributing factors to the main problem.
• Next, add horizontal lines jutting from each central line. These serve as the potential causes of the problem.

Lastly, add text boxes to label each function.

You can try your hand at filling one in yourself using the various blank fishbone diagram templates below, in the following formats:

Fishbone diagram template Excel

Download our free Excel template below!

Fishbone diagram template Word

Download our free Word template below!

Fishbone diagram template PowerPoint

Download our free PowerPoint template below!

Fishbone diagrams are used in a variety of settings, both academic and professional. They are particularly popular in healthcare settings, particularly nursing, or in group brainstorm study sessions. In the business world, they are an often-used tool for quality assurance or human resources professionals.

Fishbone diagram example #1: Climate change

Let’s start with an everyday example: what are the main causes of climate change?

Fishbone diagram example #2: Healthcare and nursing

Fishbone diagrams are often used in nursing and healthcare to diagnose patients with unclear symptoms, or to streamline processes or fix ongoing problems. For example: why have surveys shown a decrease in patient satisfaction?

Fishbone diagram example #3: Quality assurance

QA professionals also use fishbone diagrams to troubleshoot usability issues, such as: why is the website down?

Fishbone diagram example #4: HR

Lastly, an HR example: why are employees leaving the company?

Fishbone diagrams come with advantages and disadvantages.

• Great tool for brainstorming and mind-mapping, either individually or in a group project.
• Can help identify causal relationships and clarify relationships between variables .
• Constant iteration of “why” questions really drills down to root problems and elegantly simplifies even complex issues.

Disadvantages

• Can lead to incorrect or inconsistent conclusions if the wrong assumptions are made about root causes or the wrong variables are prioritized.
• Fishbone diagrams are best suited to short phrases or simple ideas—they can get cluttered and confusing easily.
• Best used in the exploratory research phase, since they cannot provide true answers, only suggestions.

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Fishbone diagrams have a few different names that are used interchangeably, including herringbone diagram, cause-and-effect diagram, and Ishikawa diagram.

These are all ways to refer to the same thing– a problem-solving approach that uses a fish-shaped diagram to model possible root causes of problems and troubleshoot solutions.

Fishbone diagrams (also called herringbone diagrams, cause-and-effect diagrams, and Ishikawa diagrams) are most popular in fields of quality management. They are also commonly used in nursing and healthcare, or as a brainstorming technique for students.

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Problem-solving workshop: Step-by-Step

A problem-solving workshop is held by the Agile Release Train and its purpose is to address systematic problems. The workshop that concentrates on identifying the problems, not just addressing the symptoms, is facilitated by the Release Train Engineer and time-boxed to maximum of two hours. What are the six steps of the workshop?

In SAFe® (Scaled Agile Framework for Enterprises®), problem-solving workshop is done during the Inspect & Adapt (I & A) event. I & A  is held at the end of each Program Increment, and it forms the basis for relentless improvement, one of the four pillars of the SAFe House of Lean , and a dimension of the Continuous Learning Culture core competency.

During the three parts of I & A event (PI System Demo, Quantitative and Qualitative measurement, and Retrospective and problem-solving workshop), the ART demonstrates and evaluates the current state of the solution and teams reflect and identify improvement backlog items. In this article we are going to concentrate on the last part of the event, problem-solving workshop, during which teams systematically address the larger impediments that are limiting velocity.

Problem-solving workshop consists of 6 steps

Step 1: agree on the problem to solve.

Clearly stating the problem is key to problem identification and correction. It enables more focused investigation, time-saving, and avoids ‘ready, fire, aim’ approach. On the other hand, a problem that is not well defined, may result in failure to reach the proper countermeasure. To identify and agree on the problem to solve, the teams should spend a few minutes clearly stating the problem, highlighting the ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, and ‘impact’ as succinctly as they can.

Step 2: Apply root-cause analysis and 5 whys

The Root-cause analysis and the ‘5 Whys’ technique is used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem. It helps to avoid assumptions and logic traps, trace the chain of causality in direct increments from the effect to a root cause.

The root cause analysis (fishbone or Ishikawa) diagram features 5 main ‘bones’ that represent typical sources of problems in development (tools, people, program, process, environment). Team members then brainstorm causes that they think contribute to the problem to be solved and group them into these categories. Once a cause is identified, its root cause is explored with the 5 Whys technique. By simply asking ‘why’ multiple times, the cause of the previous cause is uncovered, and added to the diagram. The process stops once a suitable root cause has been identified and the same process is then applied to the next cause (© Scaled Agile, Inc.).

Step 3: Identify the biggest root-cause using Pareto analysis

Team uses Pareto analysis (or 80/20 rule) to narrow down the number of actions that produce the most significant overall effect. It is based on the principle that 20% of root causes can cause 80% of problems and it has proved useful where many possible sources and actions are competing. Once the team writes down all the causes-of-causes, they identify the biggest root-cause using dot-voting – every team member has five dots on its disposal, and he can allocate them to one or more items he thinks are most problematic. Then they summarize votes in Pareto chart that shows collective consensus on the most significant root-cause.

Step 4: Restate the new problem for the biggest root-cause

Team picks the most voted item from Pareto chart. They restate it clearly as a problem and add economic impact of the problem to the description.

Step 5: Brainstorm solutions

During the brainstorming activity that lasts about 15 – 30 minutes, team brainstorms as many possible corrective actions as possible. The goal of activity is to generate as many ideas as possible, without criticism or debate. Team members should let their imagination soar and explore and combine all the ideas that arise and in the end dot-vote to identify top contenders.

Step 6: Identify improvement backlog items (NRFs)

In the end of the problem-solving workshop, up to three most voted solutions are identified. Solutions are then rephrased as improvement stories and features to be fed directly into the PI Planning event that follows the I & A event. During that event, the RTE helps ensure that the relevant work needed to deliver the identified improvements is planned. This closes the loop, thus ensuring that action will be taken, and that people and resources are dedicated as necessary to improve the current state. In this way, problem-solving becomes routine and systematic, and team members and ART stakeholders can be assured that the train is solidly on its journey of relentless improvement (© Scaled Agile, Inc. ).

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How to Use a Fishbone Diagram for Effective Problem-Solving

Learn how to use a fishbone diagram for effective problem-solving. This guide covers its benefits, tips for use, and real-world examples.

Learn how to use a fishbone diagram, a powerful visual tool that helps identify and solve complex problems. This article covers the history and uses of the fishbone diagram, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to create one. You’ll also discover the benefits of using fishbone diagrams, tips for effective problem-solving, and real-world examples from different industries. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or team member, this article will provide you with the tools and knowledge to improve your problem-solving skills and make better decisions.

1. Introduction to Fishbone Diagram

The Fishbone Diagram, also known as the Ishikawa Diagram or Cause-and-Effect Diagram, was developed in the 1960s by Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese quality control expert. Ishikawa developed the diagram as a tool for identifying and analyzing the causes of defects in manufacturing processes.

The Fishbone Diagram has since been widely adopted in various industries for problem-solving and process improvement. Its success in identifying the root causes of problems has made it a valuable tool for quality management, as well as for innovation and product design.

In addition to manufacturing, the Fishbone Diagram has been applied to many other fields, such as healthcare, education, and business. Its versatility and simplicity make it an effective problem-solving tool that can be used by individuals and teams at all levels of an organization.

A Fishbone Diagram is a visual tool used to identify and analyze the potential causes of a problem or an effect. The diagram takes the form of a fish skeleton, with the “head” representing the problem or effect and the “bones” representing the potential causes. The bones are typically labeled with categories, such as people, process, equipment, materials, or environment, and each category is then broken down further to identify specific factors that could be contributing to the problem or effect. 

The resulting diagram provides a clear and organized way to understand the root causes of a problem, making it easier to develop effective solutions. Fishbone Diagrams can be created by hand, but they are also available as pre-made templates in presentation software such as MS PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, and Google Slides, making it easy to use them in business and academic settings.

2. How to create a Fishbone Diagram

To create a Fishbone Diagram, follow these steps:

• Identify the problem or the effect you want to analyze.
• Define the main cause of the problem or effect.
• Identify the major categories that contribute to the main cause.
• Break down each category into more detailed causes that contribute to it.
• Draw the Fishbone Diagram, with the main cause at the head of the fish and the major categories as the bones.

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3. The benefits of using Fishbone Diagrams:

Fishbone Diagrams offer several benefits, including:

• Better problem-solving and decision-making by identifying and analyzing the root causes of a problem or effect.
• Improved communication and collaboration among team members by providing a visual representation of the problem and its causes.
• Clear identification of causes and their relationships, can help to prioritize and address the most critical causes.
• Identification of potential solutions based on the analysis of the causes.

4. Tips for using Fishbone Diagrams:

To get the most out of Fishbone Diagrams, consider the following tips:

• Involve a diverse team of people with different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Keep an open mind and embrace different ideas and viewpoints.
• Prioritize the most critical causes and solutions, based on the analysis of the Fishbone Diagram.
• Review and revise the Fishbone Diagram as necessary, to ensure it accurately reflects the problem and its causes.

5. Real-world examples of Fishbone Diagrams:

Fishbone Diagrams can be used in many different industries and settings, including healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. Here are a few examples:

• In healthcare, Fishbone Diagrams have been used to identify and address the root causes of medical errors and patient safety incidents.
• In manufacturing, Fishbone Diagrams have been used to analyze the causes of defects and inefficiencies in the production process.
• In service industries, Fishbone Diagrams have been used to identify and address the causes of customer complaints and service quality issues.

Fishbone Diagrams are a powerful tool for effective problem-solving and decision-making. By following the steps for creating a Fishbone Diagram and using the tips and examples provided, you can use this tool to identify and address the root causes of a problem or effect and make better decisions for your organization.

Whether you are just getting started with Fishbone Diagrams or looking to improve your problem-solving skills, PoweredTemplate has got you covered. Download free and premium presentation templates from PoweredTemplate that include Fishbone Diagrams that work in PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides. These creative templates are designed to help you identify the root cause of complex problems and come up with effective solutions. With a range of customizable templates available, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. 

Don’t wait any longer, start streamlining your problem-solving process with PoweredTemplate today!

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How to Use Fishbone Diagram for Problem Solving

Fishbone diagram is a problem-solving tool, used in literal terms like a fishbone. It is also known as a cause and effect diagram. The mechanism is to specifically identify the cause and effect of any business or project problem.

A fishbone diagram can help define potential reasons for an issue. This article will dive into understanding the core principles of the fishbone diagram problem solving as a tool.

In 1943 at Tokyo University, Kaoru Ishikawa created the "Fishbone Diagram." Fishbone diagrams can also be called diagrams of "cause and effect." The fishbone diagram problem solving tool is a perfect tool to dig through an issue when we try to assess the root cause and find a solution effectively.

It offers a mechanism for explicitly identifying the "effect" and then brings you to think about the potential triggers, based on typical manufacturing problems. The fishbone diagram problem solving is a basic model that makes it easy to grasp swift and efficient root causes to implement corrective behavior.

It reflects the question or impact at the fish's head or mouth. Possible contributing factors under separate causal groups are identified on the smaller "bones." A fishbone diagram can help define potential reasons for an issue that would otherwise not be discussed by encouraging the team to look through the definitions and discuss alternate reasons.

Source: EdrawMind

1.1 Why Use Fishbone Diagram for Problem Solving

The fishbone diagram makes you consider more when solving specific problems. During a brainstorming activity, various groups inspire thoughts from different areas.

The fishbone diagram brings order to the process of cause and effect . It's easy for participants to understand the main problems or issues and focus on the question across different potential triggers.

The fishbone diagram helps distinguish the causes and reasons for a problem and lets people intuitively figure out the solutions.

1.2 The Usage of Fishbone Diagram

The fishbone diagram problem solving method can be used when trying to fix problems or discover the root cause of an issue or problem, which helps you to see below the surface, and dive deeper into the real problem.

Here are several typical fishbone diagram problem solving applications:

• Manufacturing: ,nbsp;Uncover the root cause of a manufacturing problem by brainstorming and rating the likelihood and effect of all factors affecting the manufacturing cycle;
• Marketing or Product Marketing: ,nbsp;Identify the possible factors that may impede your company's popularity in the marketplace by investigating all the places that affect your product acceptance;
• Service: ,nbsp;Uncover the root cause of a business issue by brainstorming, and rate the probability and effect of all factors impacting the service delivery process.

There are 7 steps lead you to use fishbone diagram for problem solving:

• Explain the agenda behind the diagram

Let your team members know that the diagram can help you see different fields or possible areas that might lead to a solution to your current business problem.

• Draw diagrams

Draw the pattern or shape on your whiteboard, or use a software diagramming tool to ease accessibility. If you need remote attendants to do this exercise, you can quickly build it in EdrawMind and display your computer.

• Determine a simple statement on an issue

Write down statements at the top of your page or above where you will build the diagram., which means everyone has the same idea of the issue you are concerned with.

• Select what categories to use

Categories are discussed in more detail below. For example, you can add Policies, Methods, Personnel, and Software categories.

• Identify potential causes within each category of your problem

Team members may trigger brainstorming or contribute factors that fall into this category. You can either go by category or only come up with ideas and determine which type they fit.

• Go a step deeper to define sub-causes for any cause in the category

If you decide whether something can or will break down to smaller points, build divisions from the critical point.

Team members study the diagram to determine the most relevant focus points. If you are trying to take this a step forward and fix the root cause, it helps define where you're trying to benefit your initiative. You can't solve all the root factors at once, and some can get more significant payoff than others. Check the diagram for an evaluation of where the concentration of the team is best.

• Record results

You bring the work in. Capture, and log your work. You will need to return to it later, so you don't want to miss the importance of the exercise that you got.

There are several tips that should be considered when using the fishbone diagram for solving problems:

• Using the fishbone diagram tool to keep the team focused not on signs, but the problem's causes;
• Make sure you leave ample room in the diagram between the main groups to add minor specific pointers later;
• Try making team members write every cause on sticky notes while you're brainstorming causes, moving around the community asking each person about a particular reason. Continue to go through the loops, have more pointers before all suggestions have been eliminated;
• Encourage each person to join in the brainstorming exercise and voice their own opinions;
• Remember that the strategy of "five-whys" is often used in combination with the fishbone diagram.

While it takes time to create a fishbone diagram , it will help you and your team define the real causes and encourage you to strengthen the process and make permanent improvements.

Regardless, whether you are using the graphical or indented fishbone hierarchy, this process optimization method will significantly help you understand the factors involved in a process. The root causes of the event are the underlying process and system issues, which allowed the contribution. Hence fishbone diagram , the problem-solving tool, is extremely crucial when discussing strategies to deal with problems.

EdrawMind is an easy-to-use, flexible mind mapping tool designed to help you generate modern, fresh visuals and mind maps. By combining the bullet points into a mind map on a project, EdrawMind lets you organize the thoughts or concepts and create essential strategies.

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The Fishbone Analysis Tool (Ishikawa Diagram): A Simple Intro

The fishbone analysis tool is a visual method used to help capture and understand various things including the root causes to a problem. Completed diagrams look like a fish skeleton. Summary by The World of Work Project

Fishbone Analysis

Fishbone analysis diagrams are also known as Ishikawa diagrams. They are a visual tool that helps individuals and teams captured and understand the root causes to a specific problem.

The problem statement that is being considered is captured in the fish’s head. The specific root-causes that contribute to the problem are captured along the fish’s fins (or rib bones). The major causes of the problem are captured at the ends of the fins.

This approach produces comprehensive visualizations of problems which help with the solution process. When designing solutions, it’s important to ensure that any proposed solution addresses the major root causes that have been identified.

Using it in Practice

Fishbone analysis is often part of a more comprehensive approach to team problem solving and is often combined with silent brainstorming .

The standard approach that we would use around a fishbone analysis forms part of a facilitated team problem solving approach, using the A3 Thinking method . This is normally completed using post-it notes initially, and is only captured in fishbone diagram at a later stage. The process is as follows:

• Firstly, have a team silently brainstorm the root causes of a chosen problem statement using the 5 whys approach to ensure depth.
• Secondly, have the team group their individual root causes into themes.
• Thirdly, have the team review the grouped thematic areas and, if happy with them, name them. These names then become the major-causes to the identified problem.
• Fourthly, review the root-causes and major causes, checking them for completeness against an appropriate list of potential major-causes.
• Finally, progress to the solution design phase.

Major-causes: 3 Common Groups

It’s important to understand the common major-causes which can affect a specific type of problem. With these in mind it’s possible to check the completeness of the root-causes you’ve identified.

For example, if you know that a common major-cause is “people capability” and you’ve identified no root-causes of this nature, you can go back and spend further time identifying appropriate root-causes to your problem.

By doing this you can ensure that you’ve identified all of the appropriate root causes, and are thus in a position to identify a better solution to your problem.

Below, we consider three groups of major-causes that you may wish to use to check your root-causes for completeness. Each group is useful in different circumstances. More groups are available, and you can always create your own group which is appropriate for your specific circumstances.

The PPPS Major-causes

PPPC stands for people, process, platform and culture. These are an excellent set of common major-causes to consider for any problem in an office or a professional-services working environment. Most problems in this environment have root causes within all four of these major-causes.

The 5 Ms Major-causes

The 5 Ms are: machine, method, material, man and measurement. These major causes are useful for consideration in the manufacturing sector where you would expect to potentially find root-causes in relation to all of them.

The 5 Ps Major-causes

The 5 Ps are: product, price, promotion, place, people. These are simply the 5 Ps of marketing (which we’ve yet to write about), converted into potential major-causes. These are appropriate major-causes to consider in relation to a product marketing problem.

Learning More

Thinking about what we do from different perspectives and with others is very helpful for decision making. Tools like the reframing matrix process or hackathons can help us do this.

Part of the reason we’re not great at problem solving is that we all have thinking habits and cognitive biases that restrict our creativity. In particular, these decision making biases often lead us towards bad (or irrational) decisions. And sometimes we make decisions just because ISLAGIATT …

Similarly, Drilling into issues with the 5 Whys helps us understand root causes more and creating an ease/benefit matrix helps us decide what to focus on in the first place. When we are actually working on things like this in groups it’s useful to use techniques like silent brainstorming to get the best results.

To learn more about creativity, innovation and problem solving, you might enjoy the third of our three podcasts specifically on these topics. It focuses mainly on cognitive processes:

The World of Work Project View

Fishbone analysis is a helpful tool. It’s a useful way to visualize, share, track and analyze root causes to a specific problem. The approach of comparing root causes to a list of common major-causes for that kind of problem is also very helpful.

In our view though, the real magic comes from getting the right people in the room and leading an effective root-cause ideation / brainstorming activity. In many ways this is more important than how you visualize the root-causes that you capture.

How We Help Organizations

We provide leadership development programmes and consulting services to clients around the world to help them become high performing organizations that are great places to work. We receive great feedback, build meaningful and lasting relationships and provide reduced cost services where price is a barrier.

Learning more about who we are and what we do it easy: To hear from us, please join our mailing list . To ask about how we can help you or your organization, please contact us . To explore topics we care about, listen to our podcast . To attend a free seminar, please check out our eventbrite page .

We’re also considering creating a community for people interested in improving the world of work. If you’d like to be part of it, please contact us .

Sources and Feedback

In this instance, most of our content has come from our working experience. The original source of this model though is by Kaoru Ishikawa and you can read more in his book: “Introduction to Quality Control” .

We’re a small organization who know we make mistakes and want to improve them. Please contact us with any feedback you have on this post. We’ll usually reply within 72 hours. 

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Problem Solving Workshop with 5 Whys, Fishbone and 8D Training Workshop

Problem Solving Workshop with 5 Whys, Fishbone and 8D Training Workshop by Tonex

The Problem Solving Workshop with 5 Whys, Fishbone, and 8D Training Workshop by Tonex is an intensive training designed to equip professionals with practical problem-solving methodologies. This workshop offers a comprehensive approach to identifying, analyzing, and resolving problems using three powerful techniques: the 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram, and 8D (Eight Disciplines) Problem Solving. Participants will gain hands-on experience through real-world case studies and interactive sessions, enabling them to effectively address and prevent recurring issues in their organizations.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and applications of the 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and 8D Problem Solving methodologies.
• Apply these methodologies to systematically identify root causes of problems.
• Develop effective solutions to eliminate the root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Enhance their problem-solving skills through practical exercises and case studies.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions within their teams or organizations.
• Implement a structured approach to continuous improvement and quality management.

This workshop is ideal for:

• Quality Managers and Engineers
• Process Improvement Specialists
• Project Managers
• Team Leaders and Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• Anyone involved in problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives within their organization

Course Modules

Module 1: introduction to problem solving techniques.

• Overview of common problem-solving methodologies
• Importance of structured problem-solving approaches
• Introduction to the 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and 8D
• Historical development and application areas
• Benefits of using these techniques in various industries
• Case studies of successful problem-solving implementations

Module 2: The 5 Whys Technique

• Understanding the 5 Whys methodology
• Steps to implement the 5 Whys
• Identifying the root cause through iterative questioning
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Practical exercises using the 5 Whys
• Real-world examples and case studies

Module 3: Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram

• Introduction to the Fishbone Diagram
• Constructing a Fishbone Diagram
• Identifying categories of potential causes
• Analyzing the relationships between causes and effects
• Practical application in various scenarios
• Group exercises and case studies

Module 4: 8D (Eight Disciplines) Problem Solving

• Overview of the 8D problem-solving process
• Detailed steps of the 8D methodology
• Defining the problem and forming a team (D1 & D2)
• Containment actions and root cause analysis (D3 & D4)
• Developing and implementing corrective actions (D5 & D6)
• Preventive actions and team recognition (D7 & D8)

Module 5: Integrating Problem-Solving Techniques

• Comparing and contrasting the 5 Whys, Fishbone, and 8D
• Selecting the appropriate methodology for different problems
• Integrating techniques for comprehensive problem solving
• Case studies demonstrating integrated approaches
• Hands-on group activities to reinforce learning
• Best practices for sustained problem-solving success

Module 6: Workshop and Case Studies

• Interactive problem-solving workshop
• Applying the 5 Whys, Fishbone, and 8D to real-world scenarios
• Group presentations and feedback sessions
• Developing action plans for organizational implementation
• Discussing challenges and solutions encountered during application
• Final Q&A and wrap-up session to consolidate learning

By the end of this workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle complex problems effectively, ensuring continuous improvement and quality enhancement in their organizations.

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GBG +44 GUI +224 GNB +245 GUY +592 HAI +509 VAT +39-06 HON +504 HUN +36 ISL +354 IND +91 IDN +62 IRN +98 IRQ +964 IRL +353 GBM +44 ISR +972 ITA +39 JAM +1-876 JPN +81 GBJ +44 JOR +962 KAZ +7 KEN +254 KIR +686 KUW +965 KGZ +996 LAO +856 LVA +371 LIB +961 LES +266 LBR +231 LBY +218 LIE +423 LTU +370 LUX +352 MAD +261 MWI +265 MAS +60 MDV +960 MLI +223 MLT +356 MHL +692 MTQ +596 MTN +222 MRI +230 MYT +262 MEX +52 FSM +691 MON +377 MNG +976 MNE +382 MSR +1-664 MAR +212 MOZ +258 MDA (+373) MYA +95 NAM +264 NRU +674 NEP +977 NED +31 NCL +687 NZL +64 NCA +505 NIG +227 NGA +234 NIU +683 NFK +672 NMI +1-670 NOR +47 OMA +968 PAK +92 PLW +680 PAN +507 PNG +675 PAR +595 PER +51 PHI +63 PCN +870 POL +48 POR +351 PUR +1 QAT +974 KOR +82 MDA +373 ROU +40 RUS +7 RWA +250 REU +262 SHN +290 SKN +1-869 LCA +1-758 SPM +508 VIN +1-784 SAM +685 SMR +378 STP +239 KSA +966 SEN +221 SRB +381 SEY +248 SLE +232 SIN +65 SVK +421 SVN +386 SOL +677 SOM +252 RSA +27 ESP +34 SRI +94 PLE +970 SUD +249 SUR +597 SWE +46 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Fishbone diagram templates

Uncover the root causes of any challenge with Miro's fishbone diagram templates. These templates guide your team through a structured brainstorming session, allowing you to map out all the potential factors contributing to an issue. With Miro's fishbone diagram examples to spark ideas, you'll be able to identify key areas for improvement and develop a shared understanding of the path forward.

Fishbone Diagram Template

Works best for:.

Operations, Diagrams, Workflows

What is the best way to solve any problem your team faces? Go straight to the root. That means identifying the root causes of the problem, and fishbone diagrams are designed to help you do it best. Also known as the Ishikawa Diagram (named after Japanese quality control expert Kaoru Ishikawa), fishbone diagrams allow teams to visualize all possible causes of a problem, to explore and understand how they fit together holistically. Teams can also use fishbone diagrams as a starting point for thinking about what the root cause of a future problem might be.

Fishbone Diagram for Root Cause Analysis Template

Fishbone Diagram

The Fishbone Diagram for Root Cause Analysis template helps identify and analyze the underlying causes of a problem. It visually breaks down issues into categories, such as people, processes, and equipment, to uncover root causes. Perfect for teams aiming to solve problems systematically, enhance processes, and prevent future occurrences. Ideal for brainstorming and collaborative analysis sessions.

Fishbone Diagram for Marketing

Optimizing marketing strategies requires identifying underlying issues. The Fishbone Diagram Marketing template helps you systematically explore factors affecting your campaigns. Categorize potential causes into areas such as market research, product positioning, promotional strategies, and distribution channels. This structured analysis enables your team to pinpoint and address issues, enhancing marketing effectiveness and achieving better results.

Fishbone Diagram for Healthcare

Ensuring high-quality care in healthcare settings requires a thorough understanding of root causes behind issues. The Fishbone Diagram for Healthcare template helps you analyze potential causes of problems in areas like patient care, staff performance, and administrative processes. This structured approach facilitates comprehensive analysis and collaborative problem-solving, ultimately leading to improved healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Fishbone Diagram for Process Improvement

Planning, Strategy

Process improvement is key to enhancing efficiency and productivity. The Fishbone Diagram for Process Improvement template helps you identify the root causes of process inefficiencies. Categorize potential causes into areas such as workflow, resources, technology, and personnel. This structured analysis enables your team to systematically explore and address issues, streamlining processes and boosting overall productivity.

Fishbone Diagram for Quality Control

Fishbone diagram

Maintaining high standards of quality is vital in any industry. The Fishbone Diagram for Quality Control template helps you identify and analyze the root causes of quality issues. Use it to categorize potential causes into areas such as materials, methods, manpower, and machinery. This structured approach ensures a thorough examination of all possible factors affecting quality, leading to more effective solutions and continuous improvement.

Identifying the root causes of marketing challenges is essential for effective strategy development. The Fishbone Diagram for Marketing template helps you systematically explore factors affecting your marketing efforts. Categorize potential causes into areas such as market research, product positioning, promotional strategies, and distribution channels. This structured analysis enables your team to pinpoint and address issues, optimizing marketing campaigns.

Fishbone Diagram for Manufacturing

In manufacturing, pinpointing the root causes of defects and inefficiencies is crucial. The Fishbone Diagram for Manufacturing template helps you systematically investigate issues related to production. Categorize potential causes into areas such as machinery, methods, materials, and manpower. This structured approach enables your team to collaboratively identify and address underlying problems, improving processes and enhancing manufacturing quality.

Fishbone Diagram for Service Improvement

The Basic Fishbone Diagram, also known as the Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, is a powerful tool for identifying the root causes of problems. Use this template to systematically explore and document potential causes of an issue, categorizing them into key areas such as people, processes, equipment, and materials. This visual approach helps teams collaborate on problem-solving, ensuring all factors are considered and addressed effectively.

Cause and Effect Diagram Template

Diagramming

The Cause and Effect Diagram Template is a useful tool for analyzing complex relationships, identifying root causes of problems, and improving organizational processes. It can be customized to fit user's unique needs and provides a structured framework for analysis. Teams can use real-time collaborative analysis on the Miro platform to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Crowd Sourced Cause and Effect

Fishbone Diagram, Problem solving

The Crowd Sourced Cause and Effect template leverages collective intelligence to identify root causes of problems. By involving multiple team members, you can gather diverse perspectives and uncover insights that might be overlooked. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive analysis and fosters team engagement.

Fishbone RCA

Problem solving, Strategy

Use the Fishbone RCA template to conduct a thorough root cause analysis (RCA) for any problem. This template helps you break down complex issues into manageable categories, enabling you to identify the underlying causes. It's an effective tool for improving processes, solving problems, and preventing future issues.

Fishbone Diagram by Hanna Havulinna

The Fishbone Diagram template, also known as the Ishikawa or Cause-and-Effect diagram, offers a visual tool for identifying and analyzing root causes of problems or issues. It provides a structured framework for categorizing potential causes into major categories such as people, process, environment, and equipment. This template enables teams to conduct root cause analysis systematically, facilitating problem-solving and decision-making. By promoting a structured approach to problem analysis, the Fishbone Diagram empowers teams to address issues effectively and implement corrective actions efficiently.

Fishbone Diagram by Dave Westgarth

Identify and solve problems effectively with the Fishbone Diagram by Dave Westgarth. This template helps you break down complex issues into root causes, enabling a thorough analysis and targeted solutions. Use it for quality control, process improvement, and troubleshooting in various industries. Ideal for teams focused on continuous improvement and problem-solving.

Fishbone Diagram for Product Development

Enhance your product development process with the Fishbone Diagram for Product Development. This template helps you identify potential issues and their root causes, ensuring a thorough analysis before product launch. Use it to streamline development, reduce risks, and improve product quality. Perfect for product managers and development teams aiming to deliver high-quality products efficiently.

Join thousands of teams collaborating and doing their best work on Miro.

About the fishbone diagram templates

Miro's fishbone diagram templates are a powerful tool for teams looking to dive deep into problem-solving. These templates, inspired by the Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, offer a structured way to visualize all the potential causes of a particular issue. By laying out the various factors in a visual format, teams can collaboratively pinpoint the root causes of challenges and strategize on effective solutions.

Why you'll love our fishbone diagram examples

Our collection of fishbone diagram examples is designed to spark creativity and provide guidance on how to use this problem-solving method effectively. Each example serves as a springboard for your team to understand the breadth of possible causes for a problem and how they can interconnect. With these fishbone diagram examples, you'll find it easier to engage in productive discussions, ensuring that every voice is heard and every potential cause is considered.

How to use the fishbone diagram templates in Miro

Choose a fishbone diagram template from Miro's collection that best suits your team's needs.

Start by identifying the problem or effect and place it at the head of the fishbone.

Invite your team to join the board and collaborate in real time.

Brainstorm potential cause categories and use them as the "bones" off the main arrow. Common categories include Methods, Equipment, People, Materials, Environment, and Processes.

Under each category, add branches that represent specific causes within that category. Encourage your team to contribute their insights.

Use Miro's features to vote on the most likely causes or to group similar causes together.

Once all potential causes are identified, discuss and prioritize them to determine which ones to investigate further.

Develop an action plan based on your findings and assign tasks directly within Miro to ensure follow-through.

By following these steps, your team can harness the full potential of Miro's fishbone diagram templates to foster a collaborative environment, streamline the problem-solving process, and move forward with clarity and consensus.

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Workshop Exercises: Understand

• Fishbone Diagram

A collection of workshop exercises that will help you ditch dull meetings and facilitate with confidence. It will help you master the design process and have more productive time with your team. The card deck will be ready for purchase in the end of 2025 and is now undergoing rigorous testing.

Instructions for running this play

• Discuss relevant categories of causes of the problem with the group and place a sticky note with each category at the end of each “bone”. Categories could be: Methods, Machines (equipment), People (manpower), Materials, Measurement, Environment, Marketing
• Do Silent Storming on “Why does this happen?” in a Timebox of 10 minutes. Each participant plays back their findings on the map, placing each of their sticky notes on the branch of the appropriate category. A cause can be placed on several branches.
• Again ask “Why does this happen?” in a plenum about each cause. Write sub-causes branching off the causes. Continue to ask “Why?” and generate deeper levels of causes. Layers of branches indicate causal relationships. 
• When the group runs out of ideas, focus attention to places on the chart where ideas are few.
• Consider finishing off with a Who/What/When exercise or even a How Might We.. .

Tips to perfect this play

Master and adapt the play to fit your context and needs.

Tip: A shared understanding

Maps are for creating a shared understanding and exploring it across disciplines – between you, your team, and your stakeholders. Invite everyone relevant.

Tip: Reverse Fishbone

Start with the effect or problem and work backward to identify possible causes, challenging the team to think from a different perspective.

Tip: Multiple Fishbones

Use separate Fishbone Diagrams for different categories of causes, allowing for more focused discussions and analysis.

Tip: Follow-up with Five Whys

Consider combining with the Five Whys exercise

This workshop exercise is part of the Workshop Patterns printed card deck .

Related plays.

• Force Field Network
• Problem Statement
• Why-How Laddering
• How Might We
• Who / What / When Matrix
• Fishbone Diagram Template

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Validation Patterns

Validate the problem.

Is your problem worth solving?

• Closed-Ended Surveys
• Cold Calling
• Comprehension Test
• Contextual Inquiry
• Crowdfunding
• Crowdsourcing
• Customer Service Logs
• Fake door testing
• Family Tree
• Find the Watering Hole
• Five People Who Are In
• Five Second Test
• Focus Group
• Industry Forums
• Move in With the Customer
• Read App Reviews
• Remote User Testing
• Sell the Future
• Write Down Your Concept

Validate the market

Don't build something that nobody wants

• Classified Posting
• Collect Pre-orders
• Conjoint Analysis
• Data Mining
• Feature Stub
• High Hurdle
• Offer a Sample
• One Night Stand
• Physical Before Digital
• Product-Market Fit Survey
• Run Test Ads
• Sales Pitch
• Single-Feature Product
• Spoof Landing Pages
• Trends and Keyword Analysis
• Wizard of Oz

Validate the product

Does your product solve the problem?

• A/B Testing
• Beta Launch
• Clickable Prototype
• First Click Testing
• Guerilla User Testing
• Impersonator
• LEGO prototype
• Micro Surveys
• Minimum Marketable Product
• Multivariate Testing
• Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Paper Prototype
• Pretend to Own
• Takeaway Test
• Try it Yourself
• Working Prototype

Validate willingness to pay

Are people willing to reach into their wallets?

Business Model Patterns

Customer segment.

Meeting the unique needs of each and every customer

• Bottom of the Pyramid
• Customer Loyalty Program
• Ultimate Luxury

Pricing Model

Innovative pricing strategies for sustainable growth

• Access over Ownership
• Bait and Hook
• Cash Machine
• Dynamic Pricing
• Pay What You Want
• Reversed Bait and Hook

Revenue Streams

Explore different revenue streams to maximize potential

• Fractional Ownership
• Franchising
• Hidden Revenue
• Microfinance
• Pay Per Use
• Performance-Based Contracting
• Subscription
• Virtual Economy
• Rent Instead of Buy

Value Network

Sharing resources and risks for mutual benefit in the network

• Affiliation
• Brands Consortium
• Joint Venture
• Layer Player
• Multi-Sided Market
• No Middle Man
• Omnichannel
• Orchestrator
• Peer-to-Peer
• Platform as a Service
• Revenue Sharing
• Self-Service
• Shop in Shop
• Virtualization

Value Proposition

Value proposition strategies for long-term success

• Blended Value
• Cross Selling
• Experience Selling
• Guaranteed Availability
• Ingredient Branding
• Make More of It
• Mass Customization
• One-stop-Shop
• Product as Point of Sale
• Product Self-Service
• Reverse Innovation
• Sensor as a Service
• Solution Provider
• White Label

Value Proposition Development

Unlocking growth through value proposition design

• Digitization
• From Push to Pull
• Leverage Customer Data
• Open Business Model
• Open Source
• Reverse Engineering
• Trash-to-Cash
• User Designed

Workshop Patterns

Convert empathy to clarity by refining insights into problem definitions

• Dependency Mapping
• Future-Back Planning
• Future Press Release
• Objectives and Key Results

Uncover insights and drive problem-solving through deep analysis

• Assumptions Collection
• Business Model Mapping
• Circles of Influence
• Empathy Mapping
• Force Field Analysis
• Hopes and Fears
• Impact Mapping
• Journey Mapping
• Market of Skills
• Opportunity Solution Tree Mapping
• Prototype Persona
• Service Blueprint
• Thinking Hats
• Skills Star Mapping
• Stakeholder Mapping
• Starbursting
• Touchpoint Mapping
• User Story Mapping
• Value Proposition Mapping
• Adjacency Matrix
• 20-Year Brand Roadmap
• Competitive Landscape
• Design Principles
• Golden Circle
• Golden Path
• Hypothesis Statement
• Job Stories
• Personality Sliders
• Product Box
• Storyboarding
• Top Audiences
• Top Brand Values
• Value Proposition Statement

Unleash creativity to collaboratively discover fresh solutions

• 3-12-3 Brainstorm
• Bad Idea Brainstorming
• Competitor Demos
• Crazy Eights
• Design Charrette
• Figure Storming
• Forced Analogy
• Mind Mapping
• Perfection Game
• Powers of Ten
• Reverse Brainstorming
• Round Robin
• The Anti-Problem
• Yes, And! Brainstorm
• Head / Heart / Hand
• PEST Analysis
• Rose / Thorn / Bud
• Start / Stop / Continue
• SWOT Analysis

Prioritize ideas or challenges to determine where to direct your attention and efforts

• Assumptions Mapping
• Blind Voting
• Decider Vote
• Fist to Five
• Five-Fingered Consensus
• Heatmap Voting
• Letter to Myself
• Note and Vote
• Priority Mapping
• Project Plan
• Prune the Product Tree
• RACI Matrix Mapping
• Red:Green Cards
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Roman Voting
• Stack Ranking
• Trade-off Sliders

Build a shared understanding to reach your goals together

• Fishbowl Discussion
• Lean Coffee
• Mad / Sad / Glad
• Plus / Delta
• Three Little Pigs

Core techniques used to plan and lead effective workshops

• Affinity Mapping
• Card Sorting
• Parking Lot
• Poster Session
• Return on Time Invested
• Safety Check
• Silent Storming
• Talking stick

Ice Breakers

Relieve initial group awkwardness and establish a safe space

• Personal Histories

Persuasive Patterns

Encourage action by eliciting positive or negative emotions about the behavior or situation.

• Anchoring Bias
• Authority Bias
• Cashless Effect
• Commitment & Consistency
• Curiosity Effect
• Endowment Effect
• Halo Effect
• Humor Effect
• Intentional Gaps
• Isolation Effect
• Need for Closure
• Optimism Bias
• Peak-End Rule
• Priming Effect
• Reciprocity
• Retaliation
• Scarcity Bias
• Serial Positioning Effect
• Status-Quo Bias
• Value Attribution

Restructure

Alter physical or social environments to subtly shift behavior patterns.

• Decoy Effect
• Default Effect
• Framing Effect
• Hedonic Adaptation
• Loss Aversion
• Risk Aversion

Broaden knowledge or insight regarding the behavior or situation to inform decisions.

• Analysis Paralysis
• Cognitive Dissonance
• Conceptual Metaphor
• Delay Discounting
• Inaction Inertia Effect

Demonstrate

Show practical examples or models of the desired behavior for clear guidance.

• Recognition over Recall
• Role Playing
• Storytelling

Connect the behavior to individual values and concerns, making it personally relevant.

• IKEA Effect
• Liking Bias
• Negativity Bias
• Noble Edge Effect
• Nostalgia Effect
• Positive Mimicry
• Self-Expression
• Social Proof

Highlight current actions and their reasons, bringing unconscious habits to awareness.

• Centre-Stage Effect
• Periodic Events
• Picture Superiority Effect

Streamline the process or action, making it more accessible and less daunting.

• Appropriate Challenges
• Autonomy Bias
• Choice Closure
• Commitment Devices
• Endowed Progress Effect
• Feedback Loops
• Fresh Start Effect
• Limited Choice
• Pattern Recognition
• Present Bias
• Zeigarnik Effect

Develop necessary skills and competencies to enable effective action.

• Competition
• Unlock Features

Increase the expectation of costs or consequences of action.

• Sunk Cost Bias

Use the promise of rewards to motivate and encourage desired actions or behaviors.

• Achievements
• Goal-Gradient Effect
• Prolonged Play
• Temptation Bundling

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What is Fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram) or cause-and-effect diagram?

The Fishbone diagram: where causes swim into view, revealing the ripple effects of every root

The Fishbone diagram remains an invaluable tool in the arsenal of problem-solving methodologies. Despite its limitations, its ability to unravel complexities and provide a structured approach to dissecting problems makes it a cornerstone in various industries, serving as a catalyst for efficient resolution.

The Fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa or Cause and Effect diagram, stands as a beacon of structured analysis and resolution. Developed by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, this visual tool transcends industries, serving as a fundamental approach to dissecting complex issues by identifying potential causes and their interconnections.

What is the Fishbone Diagram ? Find out the Root Cause of the problems?

• What are Advantages of the Ishikawa Diagram?
• What are Disadvantages of the Ishikawa Diagram?
• What are Functions of the Cause and Effect Diagram?
• What are 5 Examples of Leaders?

Interesting Facts and Figures

Key takeaways.

The Fishbone diagram, aptly named for its resemblance to a fish’s skeleton, operates as a structured brainstorming technique. Its core element is a horizontal line—representing the problem—and several diagonal lines stemming from it, akin to the bones of a fish. These bones categorize various factors contributing to the issue, typically encompassing six primary categories. Those categories are – People, Process, Machines, Materials, Measurement, and Environment (the 6Ms).

What are Advantages of the Ishikawa Diagram ?

• Structured Problem Solving : The structured format of the Fishbone diagram aids in organizing thoughts and information, ensuring a methodical approach to problem resolution. This structured analysis prevents overlooking critical aspects of the issue.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration : Its visual nature fosters collaboration among different departments or teams within an organization. This inclusivity helps in gathering varied insights and expertise, leading to a more thorough analysis.
• Root Cause Identification : By visually connecting different causes and their relationships, the Fishbone diagram facilitates the identification of the root cause. Addressing the root cause directly often results in more effective solutions compared to treating symptoms.

Also read – 5 Lean Principles Features And Benefits For Business

What are Disadvantages of the Ishikawa Diagram ?

• Simplicity vs. Complexity : While effective for simpler issues, the diagram might struggle to encapsulate the complexity of certain problems. Complex issues might have multifaceted causes that are challenging to categorize neatly, potentially oversimplifying the analysis.
• Subjectivity in Categorization : The categorization of causes into the 6Ms can be subjective. Different individuals or teams might categorize causes differently, leading to varying analyses and potential oversight of crucial factors.
• Time-Consuming Process : Constructing a comprehensive Fishbone diagram requires time and effort. Gathering data, conducting brainstorming sessions, and creating the diagram itself can be time-consuming, which might not be ideal for urgent problem-solving scenarios.

What are Functions of the Cause and Effect Diagram ?

• Identifying Root Causes : Its primary function revolves around probing beyond surface-level symptoms to identify the underlying causes. By visualizing the relationships between different causes, it helps in distinguishing between primary causes and secondary effects.
• Promoting Systematic Analysis : The Fishbone diagram’s structure encourages a step-by-step analysis of factors contributing to a problem. This systematic approach aids in breaking down complex issues into manageable components for analysis.
• Enhancing Communication : The visual representation simplifies complex concepts, enabling effective communication among diverse stakeholders. It serves as a common ground for discussion and understanding, fostering clearer communication channels among teams.

Also read – Lean Tools In Non-Manufacturing Areas

Important Tip for Leaders

Fishbone diagram or any problem-solving tool is to prioritize fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration within the team. Encourage diverse perspectives, active participation, and an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute ideas and insights. This inclusivity not only enriches the analysis but also cultivates a sense of ownership and commitment toward finding effective solutions to complex problems.

What are 5 Examples of Leaders ?

• Nelson Mandela: Mandela, revered for his unwavering commitment to justice and reconciliation, endured 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activism. Upon his release, he led negotiations to dismantle apartheid peacefully, becoming South Africa’s first democratically elected president. His emphasis on forgiveness and unity in the face of deep-rooted racial divisions remains a testament to his exceptional leadership and ability to inspire change through reconciliation.
• Angela Merkel: Merkel, Germany’s first female chancellor, steered her country and the European Union through economic and political challenges. Her leadership during the Eurozone crisis and the refugee influx showcased her pragmatic approach to diplomacy and crisis management. Merkel’s ability to maintain stability in turbulent times while advocating for multilateralism and cooperation fortified her status as a respected global leader.
• Steve Jobs: Jobs, the visionary behind Apple’s iconic products, revolutionized industries by integrating technology seamlessly into everyday life. His relentless pursuit of innovation and perfection yielded game-changing products like the iPhone and iPad. Jobs’ leadership style, characterized by a focus on design excellence and disruptive thinking, reshaped consumer technology, inspiring a generation of entrepreneurs.
• Malala Yousafzai: Malala, an advocate for girls’ education, bravely stood against the Taliban’s oppression in Pakistan. Surviving an assassination attempt, she continued her activism, becoming a global symbol for girls’ education rights. Malala’s resilience and determination amplified her voice on the international stage, leading to the establishment of the Malala Fund and advocating for educational opportunities for all girls worldwide.
• Jacinda Ardern: Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, displayed compassionate and decisive leadership in times of adversity. Her response to the Christchurch mosque shootings, characterized by empathy and inclusivity, brought communities together. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ardern’s swift and proactive measures led to effective containment, emphasizing science-based decisions and clear communication, earning her global praise.

A leader who effectively implemented the Fishbone diagram in problem-solving is Akio Toyoda, the President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyoda faced a significant challenge in 2009 when Toyota encountered a massive recall due to issues related to unintended acceleration in some of their vehicles.

In response to this crisis, Toyoda employed the Fishbone diagram as a key tool to investigate the root causes behind the quality and safety concerns. Toyota’s quality control had been revered for decades, and this crisis posed a substantial threat to its reputation.

Toyoda initiated a thorough analysis using the Fishbone diagram, dissecting various factors contributing to the quality issues. The diagram helped identify potential causes across different realms, including manufacturing processes, supplier quality, design flaws, and communication breakdowns within the company.

By leveraging this tool, Toyoda and his team were able to map out and visually represent the complex web of factors leading to the quality problems. This allowed for a more systematic and comprehensive approach to addressing the issues, ensuring that they weren’t merely treating the symptoms but instead targeting the root causes.

The implementation of the Fishbone diagram enabled Toyota to reevaluate its processes, enhance communication between departments, and implement corrective actions to prevent similar issues in the future. This approach aligned with Toyota’s commitment to continuous improvement and quality assurance.

Ultimately, Toyoda’s utilization of the Fishbone diagram exemplified how a leader could employ structured problem-solving methodologies to navigate crises effectively and drive organizational change . It showcased the significance of not just addressing immediate concerns. It also dive deep into understanding the interconnected causes to prevent future occurrences.

Also explore – Best Digital Transformation Books

• The Fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa or Cause and Effect diagram. It was developed by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese quality control expert, in the 1960s.
• The Fishbone diagram typically categorizes causes into six primary groups known as the 6Ms. They are – Manpower, Methods, Machines, Materials, Measurements, and Environment.
• While initially used in manufacturing and quality control, the Fishbone diagram has found applications across various industries, including healthcare, education, and software development.
• Its structure resembles a fish’s skeleton, with a horizontal line representing the problem and diagonal lines branching out to illustrate various contributing causes.
• The Fishbone diagram aids teams in systematically analyzing and identifying root causes of issues rather than just addressing symptoms, fostering a structured approach to problem-solving.
• Structured Problem Solving: The Fishbone diagram provides a structured approach to problem-solving by categorizing potential causes into distinct groups.
• Root Cause Analysis: It helps in identifying root causes rather than just addressing symptoms, enabling more effective and long-lasting solutions.
• Visual Representation: Its visual nature simplifies complex problems, aids in team collaboration, and facilitates clearer communication.
• Applicability: The Fishbone diagram’s versatility allows its use in various industries and contexts beyond manufacturing.
• Continuous Improvement: It fosters a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging teams to analyze processes and address underlying issues.

How is the Fishbone diagram different from other problem-solving tools?

The Fishbone diagram emphasizes categorizing causes into specific groups (e.g., 6Ms), visually representing relationships between causes, and targeting root causes.

What are common challenges when using the Fishbone diagram?

Challenges include subjectivity in categorizing causes, oversimplification of complex issues, and the time-consuming process of gathering diverse perspectives.

Can the Fishbone diagram be used for any problem?

While effective for many scenarios, it might not be suitable for extremely complex problems that have numerous interrelated causes that are difficult to categorize neatly.

How does the Fishbone diagram aid in team collaboration?

It encourages cross-functional collaboration by involving diverse perspectives from different teams or departments, fostering a comprehensive analysis of potential causes.

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Utilizing Fishbone Diagrams For Effective Problem-Solving In The Workplace

Introduction.

The fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa diagram, is a powerful tool used in quality management and problem-solving processes. This visual representation helps teams identify and analyze potential causes of a specific issue, allowing for a more targeted approach to finding solutions. By breaking down complex problems into smaller components, the fishbone diagram enables organizations to address root causes rather than just symptoms.

Purpose Of Using A Fishbone Diagram

1. Organizing Data: Another key benefit of using a fishbone diagram is that it helps teams organize and categorize data effectively. By structuring the potential causes into different categories, teams can make sense of complex information and prioritize their efforts on addressing the most critical factors.

2. Encouraging Systematic Thinking: The fishbone diagram encourages systematic thinking and analysis by breaking down a problem into smaller, manageable components. This structured approach helps teams focus on specific areas and prevents them from overlooking important factors that could be contributing to the problem.

3. Facilitating Problem-Solving Discussions: The fishbone diagram serves as a useful tool during problem-solving discussions and brainstorming sessions. It provides a starting point for teams to explore different perspectives and generate ideas on how to address the root causes of the problem .

4. Continuous Improvement: By using a fishbone diagram to identify and address root causes , organizations can work towards continuous improvement . By eliminating or mitigating the root causes of problems, teams can enhance processes, increase efficiency, and ultimately deliver better results.

5. Data-Driven Decision Making: The fishbone diagram helps teams make data-driven decisions by analyzing the potential causes of a problem based on factual information. This ensures that decisions are grounded in evidence and logic, leading to more effective problem-solving outcomes.

How To Create A Fishbone Diagram?

1. Identify The Problem: This could be a quality issue, a process inefficiency, or any other challenge that needs to be addressed. By having a clear understanding of the problem, you can focus your efforts on identifying its underlying causes.

2. Draw The "Fishbone": To create the diagram, draw a horizontal line across the center of the page and draw a vertical line perpendicular to it, resembling the spine of a fish. These lines represent the main problem or effect you are investigating. Next, draw several angled lines, like the bones of a fish, branching off from the main line. These branches will represent different categories of potential causes.

3. Identify Categories Of Causes: Label each branch with a category of potential causes that could contribute to the problem. These categories help to organize your thoughts and ensure that you consider all possible causes of the problem.

4. Brainstorm Potential Causes: Under each category, brainstorm and list all possible causes that could be contributing to the problem. Encourage team members or stakeholders to contribute their insights and perspectives. This collaborative approach can help to uncover a wide range of causes that might not have been obvious at first .

5. Analyze And Prioritize Causes: Once you have listed all potential causes, review them to determine which are the most likely contributors to the problem. Consider factors such as frequency, impact, and feasibility of addressing each cause. You can use tools like a Pareto chart to prioritize the causes based on their significance.

6. Identify The Root Cause: Through the process of elimination and analysis, you can identify the root cause or causes of the problem. The Fishbone Diagram helps to visualize and unravel the complexity of the issue , making it easier to pinpoint the primary driver behind the problem.

7. Develop Solutions: With the root cause identified, you can now develop targeted solutions to address the problem effectively. By focusing on addressing the underlying cause rather than just the symptoms, you can create sustainable solutions that prevent the issue from recurring.

Benefits Of Using A Fishbone Diagram In Problem-Solving

1. Visual Representation: One of the primary advantages of the fishbone diagram is that it provides a visual representation of the problem at hand. By mapping out all possible causes and their relationships to the main issue helps teams to have a clear and structured overview of the situation.

2. Identifying Root Causes: The fishbone diagram enables teams to dig deeper into the root causes of a problem rather than just addressing its symptoms. By categorizing possible causes into different branches such as people, processes, environment, equipment, and materials, it helps in conducting a thorough analysis.

3. Encourages Team Collaboration: Using a fishbone diagram involves brainstorming with team members to identify all potential causes of the problem. This collaborative approach not only fosters teamwork but also ensures that diverse perspectives are taken into account during the problem-solving process.

4. Prioritizing Solutions: Once all possible causes are identified and plotted on the diagram, teams can evaluate and prioritize which issues to address first based on their impact on the main problem. This helps in directing resources and efforts towards the most critical areas.

5. Data-Driven Decision Making: In problem-solving, it is crucial to base decisions on data rather than assumptions. The fishbone diagram prompts teams to gather relevant data and evidence to support their analysis, ensuring that solutions are well-informed and data-driven.

6. Tool For Root Cause Analysis: Root cause analysis is a critical aspect of problem-solving, and the fishbone diagram provides a systematic approach to uncovering the underlying reasons behind a problem. It helps teams to go beyond surface-level fixes and address the core issues affecting performance or quality.

In conclusion, the fishbone diagram is a valuable tool for identifying the root causes of a problem in a systematic way. By visually representing the different categories of potential causes, teams can effectively analyze complex issues and develop targeted solutions. Incorporating the fishbone diagram into your problem-solving process can greatly enhance decision-making and problem-solving efforts in a structured and organized manner.

7 Steps to a Fishbone Diagram and to Identifying Those Causes

Often referred to as a cause and effect diagram, or Ishikawa, it is a simple root cause analysis tool that is used for brainstorming issues and causes of particular problems and can and often is used in conjunction with the 5 Whys tool.

In a fishbone diagram, the various causes are grouped into categories and the causes cascade from the main categories, flowing towards the effect, forming what resembles a fishbone appearance.

The prime remit is to brainstorm all the possibilities that could cause the problem and then drill down to the factor(s) that are causing this issue. Once found, eliminate them. It enables the team to focus on why the problem occurs, and not on the history or symptoms of the problem, or other topics that digress from the intent of the session. It also displays a real-time ‘snap-shot’ of the collective inputs of the team as it is updated.

How to Conduct a Fishbone Diagram

Draw the box on the right of a flip chart or large dry wipe board, and write the problem statement in the box. Be as clear and specific as you can about the problem.

Now draw the line going from left to right as the ‘Spine’, connecting to the problem statement.

Draw the ‘fishbones’ emanating from the spine. These represent the main cause categories.

Now label each Fishbone category. There are two options here. You can use the generic cause categories of People, Method, Machine, Material, Environment, which is easier to use for a group that is relatively new to this exercise, or you can brainstorm the major categories related to the specific problem.

Now brainstorm all the causes to the problem. You could use the approach of writing each cause on post it notes, going around the group asking each person for one cause. Continue going through the rounds, getting more causes, until all ideas are exhausted.

For each cause, agree in the group which category the issue should fall in. (An issue can fall in a number of categories) and continue this process until the group have run out of ideas.

• Next, get each individual in the team in turn, to put a tally mark against the top three causes they think affect the problem. You can use supporting data to help you decide, if it is available.
• Once completed, the facilitator adds up all the tallies for each cause and selects the top three with the highest scores. These three issues will now form the basis of additional investigation in order to find the root cause. The team may then investigate these causes further and use problem-solving techniques like 5 Whys to eliminate their occurrences.

An example Fishbone Diagram

The group in the example below, had a problem with excessive scrap. They then got a cross functional team together to understand possible reasons, listing each possible cause into categories.

The next step would be to pick the top three causes and delve deeper to find the true root causes.

A Few Tips Along the Way

1. Remember, as with any task-based activity, always close the session off with actions and owners – “Who is doing what by when?” This is important, as it keeps the teams focused on the project.

2. Hold people accountable and summarise the event, including the actions and deliverables to take away.

3. Have regular reviews with the team in between events, checking for status against the action plan, and work ways of getting tasks back on track if they are falling behind schedule. Keep on top of everything!

4. Leave every task and bit of information clear and concise, so the team understands what is expected of them.

5. As a part of Visual Management, why not create and place a number of large Problem solving boards around the shop floor or in the office. Get the teams to start identifying day to day issues, using QCPC charts and then running quick problem solving sessions, using fishbone diagrams and 5 whys together, 3 times a month for the highest turnbacks on these QCPC charts. You will systematically be embedding a problem solving and continuous improvement culture without even knowing it!

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Fishbone Diagram

The Fishbone Diagram (sometimes called the Ishikawa diagram) is used to identify all the factors that have an impact on your problem.

It is primarily an issue analysis technique but it also has a motivational and team building effect on participants as they go through the process.

A completed Fishbone Analysis

There’s nothing like building a shared understanding of a tricky problem to unite a team.

The process is called Fishbone Diagram because of the way in which the information gathered is arranged visually – like the skeleton of a fish.

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• check To identify the scale and scope of issues and problem areas in any change process.

When Would You Use It?

• This is primarily a group problem analysis technique, but can be used by individuals as well.
• Can be used just before a 5 Whys Analysis where one of the highlighted issues is targeted for further root-cause analysis.

Why Would You Use It?

• The Fishbone Diagram captures and collates all the different perspectives in the room that relate to the issue at hand. Hence it is ideal when the group comprises people from different backgrounds or professional disciplines. Everyone is then able to bring their perspective into focus and the team is better informed on what is involved.
• Without such analysis, teams can often move into “fix it” mode before they really understand the scope or scale of a problem or issue. Often this means they end up addressing only part of the problem and either the problem remains or it reappears in another guise.

Resources Required

• 30-45 minutes.
• 4-10 people.
• An open space (no chairs and tables).
• A large piece of paper stuck on the wall.
• Marker pen (plus some for spare).
• A facilitator.
• 1 The Facilitator writes down the problem on the right-hand side of the paper.
• 2 The Facilitator draws a straight line to the left (like the backbone of a fish).
• 3 The Facilitator draws stems at a 45° angle to the backbone line.
• 4 After discussion and agreement with the Participants the Facilitator, at the end of each of these stems, lists 5 – 6 key factors /headings of the problem or issue that can be brainstormed.
• 5 Each of the key factors can then be broken down into subsidiary factors that need to be understood before moving on to solutions in the development phase.
• 6 The Participants should be encouraged to brainstorm each main ‘bone of the fish’ in turn.

Secret Sauce

• Instead of a facilitator leading the discussion on each branch give a member of the team responsibility for facilitating the brainstorming of one main bone. That way it becomes a team-building exercise also.
• Keep the group away from discussing possible solutions. The temptation is always there to jump into solution-mode but it’s important people see the whole picture first before getting into fixing things.
• The ‘key factors’ along each of the stems can often be categorized depending on the situation using one of these standard models:
• The 6 Ms (used in manufacturing: Machine, Method, Material, Man Power, Measurement and Mother Nature).
• The 7 Ps (used in marketing: Product / Service, Price, Place, Promotion, People / personnel, Positioning, Packagings).
• The 3 Ss (used in service: Surroundings, Suppliers, Systems, Skills, Safety).

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About the Author

Nick Martin helps leaders & consultants improve team results with resources, advice & coaching through WorkshopBank.com

I recommend altering your process for using the fishbone diagram. Your process flows: Problem-Key Factors-Subsidiary Factors. Most group discussions will jump from the problem statement directly to each person’s experiences with the problem (the subsidiary factors). When I use this technique, I listen to someone talk, write it on a Subsidiary Factor line off a blank Key Factor line. If the next person’s idea is related, I write it off the same Key Factor line, if not, I start a new one. After several related Subsidiary Factors are listed off a Key Factor line, it’s now easy to identify/name/categorize that line.

Thanks for the build David. So what you’re saying is to not force the group to name the main arms up front but to simply talk about their experiences naturally in relation to the problem statement? I can see how that would work for sure.

In my experience some people need the triggers of the key factors to be able to talk about the subsidiary and having the overview upfront means people know how far they have to go in the session.

You don’t want the group stuck on one key factor for the full session right?

please i need to explain the cause and effect of an after-math incidence

High fuel consumption of vehicle

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