The fishbone diagram is used to brainstorm possible causes for a problem. It can be helpful in situations where there are many potential causes and it is not immediately clear which one is most important. The diagram can also be used to identify possible solutions to a problem.
To create a fishbone diagram, start by writing down the main problem in the center of a piece of paper or whiteboard. Then, draw bones coming off of the main problem, each representing a different potential cause. For each cause, brainstorm possible sub-causes. Once all potential causes have been identified, you can then start to analyze which ones are most likely to be the root cause of the problem.
The fishbone diagram consists of three main elements that are:
- Head - This is the line that goes down the center of the fishbone diagram. It represents the problem or effect.
- Spine - These are the lines that branch off from the spine and represent the potential causes of the problem or effect.
- Bones - These are the lines that connect the bones to each other and represent how one potential cause can influence another.
Using a fishbone Ishikawa diagram template can help teams identify all possible causes of a problem so they can zero in on the underlying cause. This allows them to anticipate the consequences and take effective action.
When to use a Fishbone Diagram template
A fishbone diagram template can be used to help understand all of the contributing factors to a problem. It is especially helpful in breaking down the problem and its possible causes in a hierarchical manner.
A fishbone diagram can be used to:
- Brainstorm the potential causes of a problem
- Implement process improvement
- Quality management
- Find root causes of a problem
- Communicate information to others
It is important to take the time to understand the whole system rather than rush through it. The fishbone diagram template should ideally be worked through as a team in order to get the best results. This process requires a good understanding of the processes involved as well as considerable brainstorming and analysis. Having many perspectives can be an asset in this situation.
The 6Ms and the Fishbone Diagram
The 6Ms (materials, methods, machines, man-power, measurement and mother nature) are all factors that can affect the outcome of a process. A fishbone diagram is a tool that can be used to identify the root cause of a problem. It is also known as the cause-and-effect diagram or the Ishikawa diagram.
- Manpower: The "labor of people" refers to the work done by employees. This can include things like inefficiencies, poor communication, and a lack of proper training.
- Methods: Reconsider all steps in the production or delivery processes. Evaluate how everything is currently done to see if there are ways to streamline the process.
- Machinery: Take into consideration the infrastructure that is involved in the production or process.
- Mother nature (the environment): There are many environmental factors that can affect a business. Some of these factors are controllable(location, type/ quality of the products offered), while others are not (natural disasters, competitors, government regulations).
- Materials: Keep in mind that poorly managed or improperly stored raw materials, inputs, or consumables used in the production or delivery can affect the quality of the final product.
- Measurement: Determine if the current measures are reliable so that you can ensure accuracy and consistency.
How to create a Fishbone Diagram in 4 steps
Start by selecting our fishbone diagram template in FigJam and follow these simple steps to complete it filling out the information according to your case:
1. Define the problem statement
Come up with a statement that explains the current main problem, also try to describe how and when it occurs. This issued be represented as a "head" of your fishbone diagram.
2. Identify main root causes
Try to diagnose a problem and find its roots. You can use the 6Ms of Production to ensure nothing is getting missed out.
3. List out the individual causes
When you have found the main root causes, you can gather your team and brainstorm all of the individual causes for each. These causes will become the “bones” of the fishbone diagram, which are the basis for diagnosing the root cause of your problem.
4. Agree on next steps and outcome
Create a list of solutions that will be beneficial in your case, define things that need to be done and a set of responsibilities to be shared with your team members, make notes on what metrics you want to use to determine wether the outcome is successful or not. Assign tasks to your team members and establish deadlines.
The benefits of using a fishbone diagram
The fishbone diagram is an effective tool for identifying problems because it forces you to think about all of the potential causes of a problem, not just the obvious ones. It also helps you to see relationships between different causes, and how they might contribute to the overall problem. The diagram can be used as a starting point for further investigation into the root cause of a problem.
There are many benefits to using a fishbone diagram, including
- Helping to identify the root cause of a problem
- Providing a visual representation of data
- Allowing for easy brainstorming and collaboration
- Encouraging team members to think creatively about solutions
- Helping to improve communication within a team
- Reducing the amount of time spent on brainstorming sessions
The main benefit of using a fishbone diagram is that it helps you to think creatively about potential problems and their causes. It can also help you to communicate complex problems in a simple way, and to track down possible solutions.
