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Cause and effect analysis with a fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram

Imagine you have been tasked with solving a problem: customers are experiencing lag while attempting to check out from their carts. Specifically, the app takes two minutes to transition from the cart page to the payment page once a customer clicks Continue .

What would you do? The first question that comes to mind is “why,” right? To answer this question, you’ll need to identify all the steps that customers take when checking out, and then assess how each step is performing. Together, these answers will enable you to determine the exact point in the checkout process where the problem is occurring.

This is called “root cause analysis” — you tried to list all the possibilities that could have created this problem. And out of all possibilities, you found which likely created the problem.

Let’s refer to the problem as the “effect,” and all the potential causes you identified during your analysis as the “causes.” Now, imagine trying to represent this cause-and-effect analysis visually. What types of diagrams could you create?

Maybe a tree whose roots are the effect and all the branches as the cause(s). Or maybe an Excel table listing all the causes and sub-causes in columns. Those are all good options, but in this article, we’ll discuss a cause-and-effect diagram (also called a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram).

What is a fishbone diagram?

To start, a fishbone diagram (or Ishikawa diagram) is a tool to visually explore and represent the possible causes of an effect. The tool helps in identifying the potential causes that could have caused the problem.

A sample fishbone diagram looks like this:

It is called a fishbone as it looks like the skeleton of a fish. The head of the fish explains the problem statement (or the effect) and the bones attached explain the possible cause and sub-causes.

The history behind fishbone diagrams

Although the early history of fishbone analysis is slightly unclear, fishbone diagrams are believed to have been in use since the 1920s. However, it was during the 1960s that the diagram gained widespread popularity, thanks to the work of Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa on quality management processes for Kawasaki Shipyards.

It’s believed that Ishikawa first presented the fishbone analysis method in 1945, as part of the development of a company-wide quality control process. The creation of quality improvement processes and tools, along with the introduction of quality circles, played a significant role in the evolution of the concept of total quality management. The Ishikawa diagram became recognized as one of the seven basic quality tools.

When to use a fishbone diagram

The purpose of the fishbone diagram is to identify all the root causes of a problem. You can use fishbone analysis in product development — let’s list a few cases where you should use fishbone analysis:

• When you have to identify the possible causes of a problem
• When you have to develop a feature or product to fix the cause of a problem. This is a reverse analysis where business analysts find the gap in market need and fill that gap with a product or feature
• When evaluating a business process to find loopholes or gaps that create problems
• When you’re defining a process for quality control. Evaluate and find the current gap in quality and build processes to fill it

You can apply the fishbone analysis tool to most applications that need an establishment of quality control and management.

Now, we’ll go over the fishbone diagram and how you can apply it to multiple industries. Most businesses fall into one of these operation areas: services, manufacturing, and marketing, each of which can use a different fishbone diagram. While manufacturing may not be directly relevant to digital products, the fishbone diagram can still be a useful tool for uncovering problems and identifying potential causes. You can modify them accordingly to fit the context of your product.

Let’s start with the 4 Ws: what, why, when, and where. Applying these will help you find the possible potential causes for any effect. This is a good way to brainstorm and all fishbone diagrams must start with these, regardless of the industry you’re in. The 4 Ws are:

• What? There will be materials, products, lines of code, and other resources involved in the problem creation. Ask “what?” to help to pinpoint the specific components or resources that may be contributing to the issue
• Why? There will be situations or conditions that lead to the problem. Asking “why?” may help to uncover factors such as network failure, temperature, weather conditions, or other external considerations that may be impacting the system
• When? There will be a moment when a particular problem occurs. Ask “when?” to find out the time the problem occurs and figure out if it’s a recurring or isolated incident
• Where? Asking this question can help to identify specific areas, such as during the checkout process, a different part of the application, or within a specific context where the issue is most prominent.

Many businesses in the service industry indeed share similarities when it comes to cause analysis in their operational areas. Specifically, the 5 S’s (systems, suppliers, surroundings, safety, and skills) can be applied to cause and effect analysis within the service business.

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While all service businesses don’t need to conduct a complete cause analysis using the 5 S’s, many find that these principles can be applied at the initial levels and then gradually approached more thoroughly as they identify potential causes within their unique environment:

Systems are the methods, policies, processes, products, and tools used to build operational excellence and provide service without any failure.

Suppliers are any issues in delivering the service itself, like lower quality of service, failure to support customers, delay in refunding payments, agents or vendors delay, and more.

Surroundings are any external factors such as market, competition, public relations, brand value/image, etc. that may contribute to the issue.

Skills focus on finding issues in training, qualifications, skill set, and the experience of employees providing the service.

Safety focuses on finding issues in the system’s overall safety, products, operational procedures, and work environment.

Though the 6 Ms apply mainly to the manufacturing industry, you can transfer this framework into the software industry as well. Since digital products don’t have physical parts, not all of them will be relevant, but we’ll highlight them anyway:

Material focuses on finding issues in any raw materials used for manufacturing. This includes issues with the quantity or quality of supplies, any issues with the timeline of procurement and supply, and more.

Method focuses on finding issues in processes, policies, regulations, training, and guidelines used by companies. Though this is relevant to manufacturing physical goods, these apply to digital products as well (in context).

Machine focuses on finding issues in machines that are used in manufacturing (production). This will help uncover any issues with the maintenance of machines, any failures in the machine or assembly line, etc.

Mother nature , aka the environment, focuses on finding issues in environmental conditions. For physical goods, this could mean issues with temperature, light conditions, etc. For digital products, this could mean issues with servers going down, weather causing latency problems, and more.

Manpower (aka people) focuses on finding issues in the workforce. This means any issues with the work itself, employee burnout, training and skill sets, and more.

Measurement focuses on finding issues in measuring the process and results. This is huge in any business, as metrics and measuring success are vital to the health of a company. Use this to find any issues in quality readings, calculations, and more.

There are 7 Ps that can be commonly applied in cause analysis. These are all related to marketing businesses, but nearly all physical and digital products have marketing functions that affect their product and that this can apply to:

People focuses on finding issues in people involved in marketing a product or service to customers. This implies issues with not targeting the right audience or marketers not having a good understanding of the product.

Product is focused on finding issues in the product or service of an organization. This could be several things, including the perceived image of the product , issues with availability to reach customers, or failure to meet customer needs .

Process works on finding issues in procedures for promoting and marketing the product or service. Are there any gaps in cross-functional team collaboration ? Are they any issues with the escalation matrix?

Price is a big one. This is where to uncover issues in the pricing of the product or service. Is the price too low? Maybe it’s too high? Are there any issues with the price range not matching the competition or with accepting certain payment methods?

Promotion focuses on finding issues in promotion methods, mediums, and strategies. Are social media advertisements reaching the right audience? Is it generating enough clicks?

Place identifies problems with the location of your product. Are there any issues with the availability of your product on particular devices?

Physical evidence is the last of the Ps. It focuses on finding issues in the direct visibility of your product or service. If it has a physical component, is there a problem with the packaging? Physical evidence literally implies any physical issues with the product getting into the hands of customers.

Advantages and disadvantages of fishbone diagrams

There are many advantages you carry when you use a fishbone diagram as a tool for your cause analysis, including:

• Simplicity : the visual representation is simple and easy to understand. Anyone who understands the problem can easily go through all the possible causes of that problem
• Flexibility : you can dissect the cause into sub-causes and go deeper to find the cause
• Associativity : any cause becomes a potential candidate to generate the effect. The relationship with the problem is tightly defined, helping you conclude your analysis
• Ease of use : it’s easy to brainstorm with a team and explain how to use the diagram. Everyone can instantly adapt and be involved in a brainstorm
• Fast : it helps you analyze the root causes quickly by applying the 5 Why’s and drill down potential causes
• Prioritization : visual representation helps you to prioritize your causes and narrow down the most important ones

There are also a few limitations that can make fishbone diagrams difficult to use, including:

• Causes may not be as relevant as you once thought. This could lead to confusion on the path forward or create another problem by accident
• If oversimplified, the fishbone analysis may not uncover what you’re looking for
• There’s potential to prioritize smaller causes over critical ones. Since prioritization is so easy, the team may focus on small causes and waste time in fixing them
• The more dissection into sub-clauses you do leads to more complex diagrams. These may eventually become messy and difficult to understand
• The analysis is mostly based on understanding and brainstorming. It needs additional evaluation of the cause, which in case all possibilities have to be evaluated, can become inefficient and time-consuming

Fishbone diagram template

If you’d like a fishbone diagram template to work with, you can download this one I made on Google Sheets . Feel free to make a copy of it and customize it for your own use.

If you’d like to try to create a fishbone diagram yourself for your own team and organization, here are some common steps to make and analyze it:

• Identify and write the effect (problem statement) as the fish head
• Brainstorm and identify major causes. Write a major cause on each side bone. These major causes can be the Ms, Ps, or S’s with regard to the industry you’re in, or a combination of multiple
• Brainstorm and identify sub-causes. Write the sub-cause on each smaller bone
• Check for completeness. Evaluate or review for too few causes or narrow it down if you have too many
• Analyze each potential cause to narrow it down further. The goal is to end up with one or more that need to be fixed
• Prioritize the potential cause based on its severity on the effect

Let’s draw the fishbone diagram for a digital product. We’ll use the problem we listed at the beginning where customers are facing problems during the checkout process:

While this list may not be comprehensive, it does cover many potential causes that could lead to delays in opening the payments page. It’s important to note that during a brainstorming session, many potential causes can arise, but it’s important to focus on the most likely causes to address first. In this case, we’ve highlighted a sub-cause in red that represents the result of the analysis and the area that should be addressed.

How product managers can use fishbone diagrams

There are many cases where product managers have to analyze the cause of a problem, and a fishbone diagram is a powerful tool for product managers to benefit from. Its easy and quick creation helps quickly narrow down potential causes and act upon them.

A few examples where product managers can make use of fishbone diagram are:

• Finding the root cause for a reduction in feature usage
• Finding the root cause of churn
• Learn the effects of new features on the application upfront
• Analyze what the team should focus on while prioritizing enhancements for a feature
• Presenting the quality measures taken on certain features to senior management

The process type fishbone diagram

A not-so-popular and not-so-in-use flavor for creating fishbone diagrams is the process-type fishbone diagram. It’s very similar but has a small change in the drawing:

The main bone of the fish is divided into multiple cause areas. Team brainstorms potential causes that could have created the problem in each of these areas. It is called process type because each area in the main bone (mostly) represents a process, but each area in the main bone also represents a department. Causes are explored in the process of each department as a result.

These diagrams are not that popular but are an efficient way to involve multiple cross-functional teams from various departments.

Kaoru Ishikawa popularized the fishbone diagram to analyze the root cause of any problem. It is also called the Ishikawa diagram or cause and effect diagram.

One can use the 4 Ws — what, why, when, and where — to begin cause analysis. Based on industry type, there are common areas of cause analysis: the 5 S’ for services, 6 Ms for manufacturing, and 7 Ps for marketing. If your company or product has a combination of these, you can create multiple fishbone diagrams to get to the root cause of your issue.

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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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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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Fishbone Diagram Root Cause Analysis – Pros & Cons

Pros & Cons of Fishbone Diagram Root Cause Analysis (Ishikawa Diagram)

Recently, I’ve seen several articles explaining Fishbone Diagram root cause analysis. They explain how they use the technique, but they usually leave out the disadvantages of using a Fishbone Diagram. Therefore, I thought I would outline the pros and cons of Fishbone Diagram root cause analysis.

How Fishbone Diagram Root Cause Analysis Works

The root cause analysis technique called a Fishbone Diagram (or an Ishikawa Diagram) was created by university professor Kaoru Ishikawa in the 1960s as a quality control tool. He published a description of the technique in 1990 in the book Introduction to Quality Control .

A Fishbone Diagram (a sample of which is shown below) shows the problem at the head of the fish-like looking diagram and a backbone with major factors that can bring success or failure to the process as the major bones attached to the backbone. In the example below, the major factors are:

Each of the major factors then has additional bones attached to that category that outline the cause-and-effect relationship that may be causing the problem.

You can use many techniques to develop a cause-and-effect relationship, but people often describe using a 5-Why type questioning process to create the cause-and-effect bone structure.

Another method that people use to develop the bone-like structure is brainstorming. The team brainstorms the major factors influencing performance (the main bones attached to the backbone). Then, they brainstorm potential root causes of the problem for each major performance factor. The team then reviews their potential causes and identifies the “most likely” root cause (or, in some cases, root causes).

The diagram above comes from this article ( LINK ), which also includes the video below that outlines the use of a Fishbone Diagram.

Another article  used the example below to describe a Fishbone Diagram…

Now that you understand what a Fishbone Diagram looks like and how you might draw one – let’s review the pros and cons of the technique when it is used for root cause analysis.

Fishbone Diagram “Pros”

First, let’s review the pros of using Fishbone/Ishikawa Diagrams for root cause analysis.

Let’s start with the fact that a Fishbone Diagram is fairly easy to use. Like 5-Whys and Brainstorming (which can be used to develop the “bones”), the technique is simple to learn and apply.

Next, the technique is visual. It is easy to see what the investigator sees as the main problem (the head of the fish), the major factors influencing performance (the main bones attached to the spine), and the potential causes (the minor bones). the Fishbone Diagram provides a relatively easy-to-understand diagram of the cause-and-effect relationship that the investigator wants to communicate.

Also, Fishbone Diagrams have a long history of over 50 years of use. It certainly was one of the original techniques developed to help problem solvers understand the causes of a problem.

Finally, many claim that it is an effective root cause analysis tool.

Fishbone Diagram “Cons”

Now, let’s look at the cons (drawbacks) of using Fishbone/Ishikawa Diagrams for root cause analysis.

First, the technique is based on the root cause analysis technique of Cause and Effect. Cause and Effect has several drawbacks that we have documented in previous articles. For example, these three articles outline many of the drawbacks of Cause and Effect analysis…

“Fast” Root Cause Analysis: Brainstorming, 5-Whys and Fishbone Diagrams

Problems using 5-Whys? Read “Under Scrutiny” from Quality Progress to understand why!

Are You Dissatisfied with 5-Whys Root Cause Analysis?

Second, in all the examples I’ve seen, there is no guidance for building the bones of the fish. The building of the bone structure depends on the knowledge of the investigator or investigative team. And many (or should I say most?) investigators don’t have training in the causes of human errors (the science of human factors). Thus, the bones on their Fishbone Diagrams are their guesses at the causes of human errors, and they don’t have any human factors to guide them beyond their knowledge of human error.

Third, Fishbone Diagrams don’t have any guidance for what a “root cause” is

Many think they know the definition of a root cause but don’t have a standard definition for their team. For an article about defining a root cause, see THIS LINK .

Fourth, the other technique that can be used to develop the bones of a Fishbone Diagram – Brainstorming – has all the same drawbacks already mentioned.

Fifth, I’ve heard people use “voting” by the team as a way to determine the “root cause” of the many bones on the Fishbone Diagram. Brainstorming, followed by voting, is simply the team’s opinion. It doesn’t prove that the selected cause caused the incident (problem).

Sixth, Fishbone Diagrams don’t help the investigator determine what happened, which really should be explored before one starts trying to figure out why the incident/problem happened. You must understand “What Happened” BEFORE you start trying to find out “Why It Happened.” Without understanding what happened, people using Fishbone Diagrams often jump to conclusions without completing their fact-finding. Thus, they don’t have proof of why the bones on their Fishbone Diagram are root causes.

Seventh, Fishbone Diagrams provide no guidance to help investigators develop effective corrective actions. Therefore, the team often ends up picking one or more of the three standard corrective actions:

And these three standard answers certainly aren’t the whole list or an effective list of corrective actions.

The seven “cons” mentioned above are serious drawbacks to performing a thorough, fact-based root cause analysis and developing effective fixes. If these drawbacks concern you (and they should), you might consider another root cause analysis tool.

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Thanks for reading this article about Fishbone Diagram root cause analysis. If you would like to talk about your root cause analysis needs, please call one of our experts at 865-539-2139 or contact us by using THIS LINK .

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2 Replies to “Fishbone Diagram Root Cause Analysis – Pros & Cons”

“Cause and Effect has several drawbacks…”

Is the issue more a matter of how certain “cause and effect” methodologies are applied, rather than the notion of “cause and effect” per se. Cause and effect is after all a pretty well-known construct of, well, everything really.

Cause and effect is a model of reality that we use to make sense of things.

The problems with cause and effect are problems of how we view things.

We jump to conclusions. We look for evidence that confirms our beliefs. We have limited knowledge and don’t know all the potential cause and effect combinations.

These limitations are inherent in humans and cause and effect.

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• Guide: Fishbone Diagram

Daniel Croft

Daniel Croft is an experienced continuous improvement manager with a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. With more than ten years of experience applying his skills across various industries, Daniel specializes in optimizing processes and improving efficiency. His approach combines practical experience with a deep understanding of business fundamentals to drive meaningful change.

• Last Updated: October 19, 2023
• Learn Lean Sigma

The Fishbone Diagram, also known by various other names such as Ishikawa Diagram, Cause and Effect Diagram or 6Ms, is a visual tool used in problem-solving and root cause analysis . Originating from the quality management sector, it is used as a systematic approach to identify, explore, and display possible causes of a specific problem.

Table of Contents

What is a fishbone diagram.

The Fishbone Diagram is a graphical tool used for identifying and organizing possible causes of a specific problem or outcome. The diagram resembles the skeletal structure of a fish, hence its name. At the “head” of the fish is the problem you’re trying to solve, and the “bones” branching off the spine are the multiple potential causes contributing to that problem.

The benefit of a Fishbone Diagram lies in its simplicity. It gives you a structured way to brainstorm and categorize the various factors affecting a specific issue. The diagram can get as detailed as you need it to be, allowing for sub-causes to branch off the main causes, offering even deeper insights.

The Components of a Fishbone Diagram

Head : The fish’s head represents the problem or effect you’re analyzing.

Spine : The long, horizontal line connecting to the head serves as the timeline or sequence of the problem.

Bones : These are the categories of potential causes. They branch off the spine, leading towards the head.

Sub-Bones : These are the more specific factors or sub-causes that stem from the main categories.

Why Use a Fishbone Diagram?

The Fishbone Diagram is a flexible tool that can be used for a range of applications. Here’s why it’s so useful:

1. Easy Visualization:

One of the primary advantages of using a Fishbone Diagram is its ability to simplify complex problems. With all potential causes visually represented in one place, it becomes easier to analyze and discuss the issues.

2. Team Collaboration:

The Fishbone Diagram is excellent for brainstorming sessions. It encourages team members to think critically and contributes to a shared understanding of the problem. It’s collaborative by design, allowing for the collective intelligence of the group to shine.

3. Root Cause Analysis:

Identifying symptoms of a problem is one thing; uncovering the root cause is another. The Fishbone Diagram excels at this by forcing you to dig deep into various contributing factors. By isolating these causes, you’re better positioned to find a lasting solution.

By using a Fishbone Diagram, you’re not just addressing a problem with a short-term fix; you’re conducting a thorough investigation to eliminate issues from the root up.

How to Create a Fishbone Diagram: A Detailed Guide

Creating a Fishbone Diagram might seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually a straightforward process. Here, we’ll break down each step in detail to ensure you can construct a Fishbone Diagram that serves its purpose effectively.

Materials You’ll Need:

• A whiteboard or large sheet of paper
• Markers or pens
• Sticky notes (optional)
• A team of people for brainstorming

Step 1: Identify the Problem

The first and most crucial step is to clearly identify the problem you’re trying to solve. This statement should be specific and concise. Write this problem statement at the far right side of your whiteboard or paper, as it will serve as the “head” of your fishbone diagram.

• Use data to define the problem whenever possible.
• Make sure the problem is mutually understood and agreed upon by all team members.

Step 2: Determine the Main Categories

Now, draw a horizontal line from the problem statement towards the left side of the board. This is the “spine” of your fish. Next, you’ll identify the major categories of causes that could be contributing to the problem. These categories will serve as the main “bones” branching off from the spine.

Common categories often include:

• Measurement
• Environment
• The categories can be industry-specific or general, depending on the problem you’re analyzing.
• Aim for 4-6 main categories for better manageability.

Step 3: Brainstorm Causes

Once you’ve determined the main categories, it’s time to brainstorm potential causes for each category. These causes will be the smaller “bones” that branch off from the main bones. If you’re working with a team, this is an excellent time for a brainstorming session.

• Use sticky notes to write down ideas so you can easily move them around.
• Encourage every team member to contribute; sometimes the most unexpected insights come from diverse perspectives.

The output of the root cause analysis at this point may look something like the below example. With the lack of preventative maintenance being explored with the 5Whys analysis.

Step 4: Dig Deeper with Sub-Causes

Sometimes, the primary causes can be broken down into smaller, more specific sub-causes. This is where the “ 5 Whys ” technique can be beneficial. For each primary cause, ask “Why?” up to five times to dig deeper into the root of the issue.

• Not all primary causes will need sub-causes; use your discretion.
• Keep the diagram organized to ensure readability.

Step 5: Analyze and Take Action

After all the causes and sub-causes have been identified, it’s time to analyze the Fishbone Diagram as a team. Highlight or circle the causes that seem most likely to be contributing to the problem. These are the areas that will need immediate attention and action.

• Use data or evidence to support your conclusions.
• Create an action plan assigning responsibility for each highlighted cause.

And there you have it! You’ve successfully created a Fishbone Diagram that will help you get to the root of your problem.

Examples and Case Studies: Understanding Fishbone Diagrams in Action

Case study: manufacturing unit with quality issues.

Imagine you run a manufacturing unit, and you’ve been receiving complaints about the quality of your products. You decide to use a Fishbone Diagram to get to the root of the issue.

Step 1: Identify the Problem Problem Statement: “High number of defective products in the last quarter.”

Step 2: main categories.

• People : Untrained staff, high employee turnover
• Process : Inconsistent quality checks, outdated SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
• Equipment : Aged machinery, lack of maintenance
• Environment : Poor lighting, extreme temperature fluctuations

Step 4: Dig Deeper (5 Whys)

• Untrained Staff : Why? No formal training program.
• Aged Machinery : Why? No budget allocated for equipment upgrades.

After analyzing the Fishbone Diagram, you realize that untrained staff and aged machinery are your primary culprits. Your next steps could involve investing in staff training programs and allocating budget for machinery upgrades.

By following these steps, you can develop targeted strategies to improve product quality significantly.

Common Mistakes and Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Fishbone Diagram

1. overlooking minor causes.

While it’s easy to focus on the most glaring issues, minor causes can accumulate and have a significant impact.

Tip : Don’t disregard a cause just because it seems minor. Sometimes, fixing smaller issues can lead to big improvements.

2. Ignoring Data

It’s tempting to rely solely on brainstorming and intuition, but data should be your guiding star.

Tip : Use metrics and KPIs to support or refute the causes you’ve identified. This adds credibility to your findings and helps you prioritize effectively.

3. Stopping at Symptoms

Identifying symptoms is just the first step; your ultimate goal should be to uncover the root causes.

Tip : Use techniques like the “5 Whys” to dig deeper into each cause and ensure you’re addressing the root of the issue, not just its manifestations.

Fishbone Diagrams are a fantastic asset in the toolbox of anyone interested in continuous improvement. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started, this simple yet powerful tool can help you dissect complex problems and develop targeted solutions.

They encourage you to look beyond the obvious and delve into the intricacies that contribute to each problem. So go ahead, grab that pen and paper (or a whiteboard, if you’re feeling fancy), and start your journey towards effective problem-solving.

• Ilie, G. and Ciocoiu, C.N., 2010. Application of fishbone diagram to determine the risk of an event with multiple causes.   Management research and practice ,  2 (1), pp.1-20.
• Coccia, M., 2018. The Fishbone diagram to identify, systematize and analyze the sources of general purpose Technologies.   Journal of Social and Administrative Sciences ,  4 (4), pp.291-303.

Q: What is the origin of the Fishbone Diagram?

A: The Fishbone Diagram was originally developed by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese quality control statistician, in the 1960s. It’s also sometimes referred to as the Ishikawa Diagram in his honor.

Q: Can Fishbone Diagrams be used for non-manufacturing problems?

A: Absolutely! While Fishbone Diagrams are popular in manufacturing and quality management, their application is not limited to these areas. They can be used in healthcare, software development, event planning, and even for personal problem-solving.

Q: How many main categories should my Fishbone Diagram have?

A: The number of main categories can vary depending on the complexity of the problem. However, it’s generally advisable to have between 4-6 main categories for easier analysis and readability.

Q: Can I use software to create a Fishbone Diagram?

A: Yes, there are several software tools available for creating Fishbone Diagrams, such as Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and various other project management software options. However, a simple pen and paper or a whiteboard can be just as effective for smaller teams or simpler problems.

Q: How do I know which causes to prioritize after creating a Fishbone Diagram?

A: After creating your Fishbone Diagram, you should analyze it with your team to identify the most likely root causes of the problem. Using data to support your conclusions can be very helpful. You may also employ techniques like the Pareto Analysis to prioritize causes based on their impact.

Daniel Croft is a seasoned continuous improvement manager with a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. With over 10 years of real-world application experience across diverse sectors, Daniel has a passion for optimizing processes and fostering a culture of efficiency. He's not just a practitioner but also an avid learner, constantly seeking to expand his knowledge. Outside of his professional life, Daniel has a keen Investing, statistics and knowledge-sharing, which led him to create the website learnleansigma.com, a platform dedicated to Lean Six Sigma and process improvement insights.

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Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide

Explore the power of Root Cause Analysis Fishbone Diagrams and learn how this insightful tool unravels complex problems by breaking them down. Learn how these problems are broken down into their fundamental causes. Read this blog and find out how you pinpoint the underlying issues. Let's delve in!

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Today’s competitive business landscape has caused organisations to improve their processes and achieve optimal performance constantly. However, achieving these goals can be very challenging without thoroughly understanding the Root Causes behind problems. This is why organisations are turning towards using the Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis.

Root Cause Analysis Fishbone is a visual tool used to explore and identify the potential root causes of a problem, allowing for targeted and effective solutions. However, if you haven’t started using this comprehensive tool, it’s time to incorporate it into your improvement processes. 

Don’t know what a Fishbone is, how it is used, and its benefits? Worry no more. Read this blog to learn about the Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis. Also, explore how you can create this tool effectively.

Table of Contents 

1) What is a Fishbone Diagram?

2) Steps to create a Fishbone Diagram

3) Example of a Fishbone diagram

4) Advantages and disadvantages of Fishbone Diagram Root Cause Analysis

5) Conclusion

What is a Fishbone Diagram? 

A Fishbone Diagram also referred to as a Cause-and-effect Diagram or Ishikawa Diagram, is one of the best Root Cause Analysis Tools . It uses a visual means to identify and analyse the potential causes contributing to a problem or outcome. The diagram gets its name from its distinct shape, resembling a fish's skeletal structure. 

It also gives a structured approach to problem-solving by visually mapping out the different factors that can influence an issue. Further, the diagram helps teams and individuals systematically explore and understand the potential causes across multiple dimensions or categories. These categories are typically represented as branches that are extending from the main horizontal line, resembling the spine of the Fishbone.  

The main purpose of a Fishbone Diagram is to identify the Root Cause or causes that are at the core of a problem. By analysing the contributing factors in a structured manner, the Diagram helps uncover the underlying causes rather than merely addressing the symptoms. This approach enables organisations to implement targeted and effective solutions, leading to long-lasting improvements.  

Steps to create a Fishbone Diagram 

Crafting a Root Cause Analysis Fishbone is a structured and systematic process encompassing a series of critical steps. These steps are designed to facilitate an easy identification and examination of the potential causes of a problem. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step involved in the process:

a) Identify the problem: The first step is clearly defining and articulating the problem you want to address. Ensure that the problem statement is specific and concise. This step lays the major foundation for the entire Fishbone analysis process.

b) Identify the major categories: Once you have identified the problem, the next step is to determine your Diagram's major categories or branches. The common categories, also known as the 5 M's, are Manpower, Method, Machine, Material, and Measurement. These categories cover multiple factors that can influence a problem. However, depending on the nature of the problem, you can customise or add additional categories relevant to your specific situation.

c) Brainstorm possible causes: In this step, gather diverse stakeholders or team members with knowledge and insights about the problem. Encourage open discussion and brainstorming to generate a comprehensive list of potential causes within each category. Use the branches of the Diagram to record these causes.

d) Identify sub-causes: Once you have brainstormed the possible causes, analyse each cause further to identify sub-causes or contributing factors. This step helps break down the causes into more specific elements and provides a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the problem. Add the sub-causes as smaller branches stemming from the main causes on the Fishbone Diagram.

e) Analyse and prioritise causes: After listing all the causes and sub-causes, it's time to analyse and evaluate their relevance and impact on the problem. Assess the causes based on available data, expert opinions, and their potential to contribute to the problem. Further, prioritise the causes that are most likely to be the Root Cause. This step helps focus your efforts on investigating and addressing the most critical causes.

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Example of a Fishbone Diagram

A Fishbone Diagram visually resembles the skeleton of a fish, hence the name Fishbone. This Diagram is represented by a central "spine" and several "bones" branching off representing different categories of Root Causes.

For instance, consider a manufacturing company facing a quality issue with one of its products, such as a high rate of defects. The central spine of the Fishbone Diagram would primarily state the problem: "High rate of product defects." Branching off the spine, the major categories might include Machines, Methods, Materials, Manpower, Measurements, and Environment,  each representing a potential source of variation or cause for the defects. Here's what a Root cause Analysis Fishbone Diagram will look like:

Advantages and disadvantages of Fishbone Diagram Root Cause Analysis 

Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis offers several advantages and disadvantages in identifying and addressing the underlying causes of problems. So, let’s explore the benefits and limitations of RCA using this Diagram:

Advantages 

The following are the various advantages of using the Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis:

a) Visual representation: Fishbone Diagrams clearly show cause-and-effect relationships that improve communication and collaboration.

b) Comprehensive analysis: They facilitate a detailed investigation of all possible reasons, helping to exclude any substantial factors.

c) Structured problem-solving: The diagrams also provide a simplified way of solving complex problems, improving the speed and success of the process.

d) Team collaboration: They foster teamwork and collaboration by allowing different perspectives to work towards the problem analysis.

e) Targeted solutions: This way of looking at things lets organisations concentrate on the basic problems and, in turn, implement the right solutions targeted to the problem's core.

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Disadvantages 

 The following are the various disadvantages of using the Fishbone Diagram in Root Cause Analysis:

a) Simplification of complex problems: Fishbone Diagrams may oversimplify complex problems, potentially overlooking interdependencies and interactions between causes. 

b) Subjectivity in cause identification: The process relies on human judgment and brainstorming, introducing biases and variations in cause selection and prioritisation. 

c) Data availability and accuracy: Inaccurate or unavailable data can impact the effectiveness of the Diagram, requiring proper data collection and analysis. 

d) Time and resource-intensive: Creating a Fishbone Diagram and conducting Root Cause Analysis can be time and resource-intensive, requiring dedicated efforts. 

e) Limited scope: These Diagrams are most suitable for analysing specific problems within a defined scope and may not address complex or systemic issues. 

Conclusion 

The Root Cause Analysis Fishbone tool is a valuable tool for identifying and analysing the underlying causes of problems. Its visual representation and comprehensive analysis make it an effective tool in driving continuous improvement. By leveraging the strengths of this tool, organisations can effectively solve problems, innovate solutions, and sustainably improve themselves.   

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Frequently Asked Questions

Organisations can encourage the widespread use of the Fishbone Diagram by offering training sessions to employees, incorporating it into standard problem-solving procedures, promoting its benefits in internal communications, and recognising successful outcomes achieved through its application.

Incorporating Fishbone Diagram expertise can improve job performance and efficiency by fostering a systematic approach to identifying the Root Causes of issues. It enhances analytical skills, encourages collaborative problem-solving, and streamlines decision-making processes.

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Fishbone Diagram Tutorial

In this article:

Using a fishbone diagram can help an organization find the root causes of a problem.

No matter what line of work you are in, sometimes things go wrong. Some things that go wrong will be obvious and easy to resolve while others will be more complex. When complex problems occur, a fishbone diagram can help you to think about and categorize all of the different factors that may have led to the issue.

By doing this analysis you’re more likely to find the root cause of the problem, rather than jumping into an immediate solution which may later turn out to be incorrect. In this way, you become much more likely to permanently resolve the problem the first time.

Fishbone diagrams were originally designed to control quality in manufacturing processes, but they can also be used to find the root cause of a problem or improve a process experiencing issues.

The Fishbone Diagram

The most common way to create a fishbone diagram is to brainstorm the causes that lead to the problem with your team. When doing this, the categories can be useful as they focus the discussion on a particular group of causes, rather than trying to consider all possible factors at once.

You can have any categories you like. In manufacturing, it is common to use the 5 Ms as categories: man, machine, material, method, and measurement. In service industries, it is common to use the 4 Ss: surrounding, suppliers, systems, and skill.

The fishbone diagram was created by Japanese organizational theorist, Kaoru Ishikawa, a professor of engineering at the University of Tokyo, who was known for innovations in quality management.

Fishbone Diagram Example

For this example, suppose you run a business selling products online and your website unexpectedly crashes.

As the website has crashed your first priority will be to get the website going again as soon as possible. Once this is done, you decide to use a fishbone diagram to perform a deeper analysis of what caused the website to crash, so that you can prevent the same problem from happening again.

Step 1: State the Problem

Step 2: define your categories.

The next step is to define the categories you’ll use to guide the brainstorming. These don’t need to be set in stone and you can always create new categories or remove categories later as the brainstorming session causes your thinking to evolve.

Note that there is no limit to the number of categories you can have.

Step 3: Brainstorm each Category

As you brainstorm with your team you generate a list of top-level ideas. It can be useful to dig deeper into each of these ideas (potential causes) using a technique called the 5 Whys .

The purpose of the 5 Whys technique is to help you ensure you have uncovered the true root cause rather than a superficial cause. The technique is simple and works by asking why five times. An example of the 5 Whys is:

In this example, we can see that we asked why four times and were then not able to delve any deeper. Notice that by using the 5 Whys we shifted our thinking that the website crashed because it ran out of memory to realize that it may have been a human error – an engineer assumed something was obvious.

Step 4: Analyze your Results

One way to analyze your results is to ask the following questions:

If a cause is very likely to be the source of the problem and it is easy to fix, then you’ll probably just get on and fix it. If the cause is very likely to be the source of the problem but is difficult to fix, then you will need to plan the fix as a project and prioritize it against the other priorities of the organization.

Fishbone Diagram Template

If you’d like to perform your own fishbone analysis then you can download a PDF copy of our fishbone analysis template here .

Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages associated with fishbone diagrams.

Disadvantages

The Fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram) was developed in the 1960s and provides a visual way to find the causes of a problem. It can be used in any industry and for many purposes, including identifying manufacturing defects and process improvement. The process of creating an Ishikawa diagram can also help create a shared understanding of the problem amongst your team members. 

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Fishbone Diagram: Determining Cause and Effect

What is a Fishbone Diagram?

A fishbone diagram is a cause-and-effect discovery tool that helps figure out the reason(s) for defects, variations or failures within a process. In other words, it helps break down, in successive layers, root causes that potentially contribute to an effect.  Sometimes called an Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect analysis, a fishbone diagram is one of the main tools used in a root cause analysis .

A fishbone diagram, as the name suggests, mimics a fish skeleton. The underlying problem is placed as the fish’s head (facing right) and the causes extend to the left as the bones of the skeleton; the ribs branch off the back and denote major causes, while sub-branches branch off of the causes and denote root causes. These causes mimic the bones of the fish skeleton. The construction of the fishbone can branch off to as many levels as is needed to determine the causes of the underlying problem.

The concept of the fishbone diagram is said to have been around since the 1920s, but it was popularized by Japanese professor of engineering, Kaoru Ishikawa, who, most notably, put into place the quality management processes for the Kawasaki shipyards. One of the more famous uses of the fishbone diagram wasn’t used to find causes of existing problems, but rather in the design phase to prevent problems.  Mazda Motors used fishbones diagrams to design the Miata (MX5) sports car. Details down to the design of the car’s doors, so drivers could rest their arm on it while driving, were considered.

In nearly any industry or business, variation is quality’s and efficiency’s kryptonite. Once an order has been placed, a predictable and standardized process should be followed through to delivery. Variation in that process usually means variation in the final product. Fishbone diagrams are a great tool to either determine potential variables in a process to mitigate defects or failures, or to figure out what’s causing a defect or failure that is currently occurring.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fishbone Diagrams

As we dive into when and how to use a fishbone diagram, it’s important to note the advantages and disadvantages that can present themselves when using this root cause analysis tool. Advantages go in accordance with the purpose and method of the diagram.

• Help identify cause and effect relationships with underlying problems,
• Help facilitate joint brainstorming discussions,
• The brainstorming process encourages broad thinking, keeping teams from limited thinking patterns that can lead to getting stuck,
• The process of asking why something happened repeatedly at each stage helps drill down to one or more root causes,
• Help prioritize relevant causes, so underlying root causes are addressed first.

Some disadvantages that can present themselves relate to the greatest strengths of the fishbone diagram.

• The brainstorming process can produce irrelevant potential causes along with relevant ones, which can result in confusion and a time drain.
• Complex diagrams with multiple factors can lead to a jumbled mess that is too difficult to display in a fishbone diagram.
• Fishbone diagrams can lend themselves to the divergent approach – the temptation to identify and fix everything that might be causing the problem. This usually leads to a low success rate because hardly any team has the resources to fix every potential cause. For example, if you complete a fishbone diagram and it has 40 potential causes, the team will be left feeling like the problem is too big to handle.

Fishbone Diagram: The 6 Ms

One of the first steps in creating a fishbone diagram is determining the factors that contribute to variations within a process. Ishikawa describes these contributing factors as the 6 Ms in the manufacturing world: man, machine, method, material, measurement and Mother Nature. These 6 Ms influence variation in all processes and serve as the first six main “bones” of your fishbone.

Let’s take a look at how the 6 Ms are defined and how they can contribute to process variation.

• Manpower - the operational and/or functional labor of people engaged in the design and delivery of a product. This is considered a fairly rare “cause” of a given problem. Typically, if manpower is identified as a cause of an unwanted effect, it’s often a factor of another 6 M.
• Method – a production process and its contributing service delivery processes. Frequently, processes are found to have too many steps, signoffs, and other activities that don’t contribute or create much value. When not streamlined, simplified and standardized, processes can be confusing and hard to follow.
• Machine - systems, tools, facilities and equipment used for production. Often, machines, tools and facilities with their underlying support systems are mismanaged or incapable of delivering a desired output due to technical or maintenance issues.
• Material - raw materials, components and consumables needed to produce a desired end product. Materials are often mismanaged by way of being incorrectly specified, mislabeled, stored improperly, out of date, among other factors.
• Mother Nature (Environment) – environmental factors that are unpredictable and uncontrollable like weather, floods, earthquakes, fire, etc. While many environmental factors are predictable and can be considered manageable, there are some unavoidable environmental factors that some facilities find they are not prepared for.
• Measurement – manual or automatic inspections and physical measurements (distance, volume, temperature, pressure, etc.). At times, measurements can be inconsistent, making it hard to use the data to form repeatable conclusions that help nail down a consistent cause.

The 6Ms are often used as a starting point for the spine of a fishbone diagram (which denotes the potential causes of the problem statement). There won’t always be six causes, so you can add or subtract them as necessary. Once you have the basic structure of the fishbone diagram, you and your team can collaborate and identify the various causes affecting the final outcome. This is very often done using the 5 Whys technique.

Fishbone Diagram and the 5 Whys

You’ll often hear of the fishbone diagram being used closely with another common root cause analysis tool: the 5 Whys. Both of these tools, although different in how they’re executed, help get to the root cause of a problem quickly and figure out why the problem is happening. They also complement each other nicely when determining the cause and effect relationship of an issue because they determine the cause (why something happens) and the effect (what happens).

The 5 Whys method, like the fishbone diagram, starts with an underlying problem statement and then proceeds to ask the question “why?” five times. Each answer to a “why?” question forms the basis of the next question. For example, if your problem statement reads, “my car stopped in the middle of the road,” you’d ask, “why did my car stop?” Because it ran out of gas; “why did it run out of gas?” Because I didn’t buy any on my way home; “why didn’t I buy any gas on my way home?” Because I didn’t have any money; “why didn’t I have any money?” Because I lost it all gambling; and so on until you get to the root cause.

So how do the two relate? The 5 Whys can be used as an individual tool or in tandem with a fishbone diagram. When using it with a fishbone diagram, once you’ve established the main causes (generally the 6 Ms), you can use the 5 Whys to drill down on various root causes that form the sub-branches off of each branch. Asking “why?” is essentially what your brainstorming session involves when creating a fishbone diagram. When you ask why a cause happened, you write it as a branch stemming from the appropriate category.

For example, say your fishbone diagram has a sub-cause of “lighting” under the “Mother Nature (environment)” category of the 6 Ms; however, it’s not clear how lighting can lead to a failure.  In this instance, lighting should be investigated further – what if the lighting caused a technician to make a mistake resulting in a part not being installed properly? If that’s the case, the part not being installed properly would be listed on the fishbone diagram under the “method” category of the 6 Ms.

In other words, if a part isn’t correctly installed, use the 5 Whys on that part of the fishbone diagram to investigate further. In this case, the lighting may be a contributing factor, but it shouldn’t take priority over a part not being installed correctly. Each time the 5 Whys is used, expand the fishbone diagram. For instance, you may end up with a branch of the fishbone diagram looking like this: Material – part not installed correctly – employee skipped a step – work area too dark – poor lighting – light bulb is burned out.

In this example, the 5 Whys helped fill out a section of the fishbone diagram properly by leading to the true cause of the failure: the light bulb being burned out. In this case, you can retrain employees all you want but the same employee or anyone else, for that matter, may make the same mistake or another mistake if the poor lighting issue isn’t corrected.

Creating a Fishbone Diagram

The fishbone diagram technique combines brainstorming and mind mapping to discover the cause and effect relationship of an underlying problem. It pushes you to consider nearly every possible cause of an issue instead of just getting stuck on the most obvious ones. Not only does it help you get to the root cause of a problem, it also uncovers bottlenecks in your processes and identify areas where your processes aren’t working.  Let’s take a look at how to create a fishbone diagram is four steps using an example.

1. Identify the problem.

The first step in creating a fishbone diagram is agreeing upon and writing down the exact problem you’re facing. Have your team figure out who’s involved, what the problem is and when and where it occurs.

Next, on a whiteboard, write the problem statement in a box on the right-hand side and draw a horizontal line protruding left from the problem statement. The problem statement resembles the head of the fish and the horizontal line resembles the spine, giving you room to develop ideas.

Our example below identifies a problem of a maintenance technician slipping and injuring himself during a routine inspection.

2. Brainstorm the major categories of causes.

Step two is deciding how to categorize the causes of the problem at hand – the factors that may be part of the problem. These could be equipment, materials, systems, external forces, people, etc. In a manufacturing setting, they usually revolve around the 6 Ms we discussed earlier.

As you identify each cause, draw a line off the spine of the fish for each factor and label each line at the top. In our example, the team identifies the following factors and places them on the diagram:

• Method, and

3. Identify possible causes.

Step three really kicks off the brainstorming session as you identify possible causes of the problem that may be related to each factor. Visualize these possible causes by drawing shorter lines off of the “bones” of the diagram. If a particular cause is a bit more complex, feel free to draw smaller sub-branch lines coming off of the “cause” line.

Below, the team identifies the following causes and adds them to the fishbone diagram, slowly filling out the skeleton of the fish.

• People – Inspector, maintenance staff, MRO staff, supply staff
• Material – Parts used on machines
• Method – Inspection training, maintenance training, inspection and maintenance procedures
• Machine – Inspection history, maintenance history, age of the machine

4. Analyze the diagram.

By now, you should have a full fishbone diagram showing all possible causes of the problem statement. Using tools like the 5 Whys, investigations and surveys, you can now investigate the problem further and test to see which of these potential causes is, in fact, contributing to the problem.

In our example, the team has determined the most likely cause of the problem is the service manuals need to be updated to specify which type of seal and seal material needs to be ordered for the machine in question. On the surface, it looked as if the cause might have been related to improper maintenance practices that lead to a leak.

A helpful tip for this step is to write all possible cause of the problem on sticky notes, so you can group similar ones together on the whiteboard without having to erase and rewrite so much.

Helpful Tips for Creating a Fishbone Diagram

• Organize an appropriate team to undertake the task of creating a fishbone diagram. Add team members from multiple areas that are involved, either directly or indirectly. Team members that deal directly with the problem at hand provide valuable insight, while team members who are considered on the outside looking in can help with keeping the bias to a minimum.
• Clarify the major cause categories. The 6 Ms are a good starting point and can encompass a lot of causes, keeping them classified and organized; however, make sure you get more detailed as you fill out your diagram for clarity’s sake.
• Don’t forget the 5 Whys technique when you’re analyzing your fishbone diagram. Asking “why?” helps get to the root cause more quickly.
• Consider a multi-voting technique to help identify the root cause from everyone’s ideas. This might look like each team member identifying their top three root causes. You could ask each team member to put three checkmarks or colored sticky dots next to each “bone” or branch they believe are the root causes that need to be addressed.
• Consider other cause-and-effect techniques if your problem looks like it’s becoming too complex for a fishbone diagram. If your diagram is becoming cluttered and confusing, it might be time to consider a root cause analysis tool like FMEA .

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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.

Click to jump ahead:

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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A diagram of fishbone helps us to identify the root causes of a problem or risk and develop solutions to those problems. It is shaped like a fish skeleton, with the problem statement at the head and the causes branching off like bones. Fishbone diagrams can be a helpful tool for teams to brainstorm and identify the root causes of a problem. They can also be used to track progress over time and ensure that all possible causes of a problem have been considered. In this article, we will study a fishbone diagram in detail, its components, and the steps to create a fishbone diagram. well-labeled

A well-labeled diagram of fishbone is given below:

Fishbone Diagram

Table of Content

What is the Fishbone Diagram?

Elements of fishbone diagram, how to make a fishbone diagram, fishbone diagram example for students, tips for effective use of fishbone diagram, when to use a cause and effect diagram, advantages of fishbone diagram, disadvantages of fishbone diagram.

A fishbone diagram, also known as an Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect diagram, is a visual tool used for problem-solving and root cause analysis. It’s structured like a fish skeleton, with the problem at the “head” and potential causes branching off as “bones.” These branches represent different categories, such as People, Processes, Equipment, Environment, and Materials. Organizing causes in this way helps teams systematically identify and understand the root causes of a problem. The method is used in various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, to facilitate collaborative problem-solving and decision-making processes.

The components of a Fishbone Diagram include:

• Problem Statement: It define the issue or problem that needs to be addressed.
• Main Bone: It represent the main categories or factors which contribute to the problem. Commonly used categories include People, Process, Environment, Equipment, and Materials (the 5 Ps).
• Secondary Bones: It branch off from the main bone and represent sub-categories or specific factors within each main category.
• Cause Categories: These are the factors or causes within each secondary bone. They represent the specific aspects contributing to the problem.
• Cause and Effect Relationship Arrows: These connect the cause categories to the secondary and main bones, indicating the relationship between each cause and the overall problem.
• Analysis: The diagram is used to identify potential causes and their relationships to the problem. It facilitate analysis and problem-solving.
• Solutions: Once causes are identified, develop solutions to address each cause that aim to resolve the overall problem.

To make a fishbone diagram follow the following steps:

• Define the Problem: Clearly identify the problem or issue that needs to be addressed.
• Determine Categories: Decide on the main categories of factors that could contribute to the problem. Common categories include People, Process, Equipment, Environment, and Materials.
• Draw the Main Bone: Draw a horizontal line representing the backbone of the fish, with the problem statement at the “head” of the fish.
• Add Major Branches: Extend diagonal lines from the main bone to represent the major categories. Label each branch accordingly.
• Identify Sub-categories: If necessary, add secondary branches off the major categories to provide further detail.
• Brainstorm Causes: Brainstorm causes within each category and sub-category. Write them as branches extending from the appropriate category lines.
• Analyze Causes: Evaluate and prioritize the identified causes to determine their significance.
• Implement Solutions: Based on the analysis, develop and implement solutions to address the root causes identified on the Fishbone Diagram.
• Review and Refine: Continuously review and refine the Fishbone Diagram as new information becomes available or as the problem-solving process progresses.

An example of fishbone diagram is given below:

• Problem Statement: Decline in Fish Population in River X.
• Environmental Factors
• Human Activities
• Natural Predators
• Temperature fluctuations
• Changes in river flow patterns
• Habitat destruction due to erosion
• Pollution from nearby industries
• Overfishing
• Habitat destruction due to construction activities
• Increase in predatory species due to ecological imbalance
• Migration of larger predators into the river
• Pollution from agricultural runoff
• Contamination from sewage discharge
• Decrease in oxygen levels due to eutrophication
• Pollution from nearby industries: Specific chemicals released into the river
• Overfishing: Illegal fishing practices or lack of fishing regulations
• Habitat destruction due to construction activities: Loss of spawning grounds or nesting areas
• Evaluate each cause in terms of its impact on fish population decline and likelihood of occurrence.
• Prioritize causes based on their significance.
• Implement stricter regulations on industrial waste disposal.
• Enforce fishing quotas and promote sustainable fishing practices.
• Implement habitat restoration projects to mitigate the effects of construction activities.
• Continuously monitor fish population in the river and environmental factors.
• Adjust the Fishbone Diagram as new information becomes available.

Some tips for the effective use of the fishbone diagram are as follows:

• Clearly define the problem.
• Select relevant categories.
• Encourage collaborative brainstorming.
• Keep the diagram visually clear.
• Prioritize causes based on impact.
• Support analysis with data.
• Continuously review and refine.
• Implement actionable solutions.
• Monitor effectiveness over time.
• Use as a reference tool for ongoing improvement

A fishbone diagram or a cause and effect diagram can be used in the following situations:

• Problem-Solving: When there’s a need to identify and analyze the root causes of a problem or issue.
• Quality Improvement: To investigate quality-related issues in processes, products, or services.
• Process Improvement: To understand factors contributing to inefficiencies in processes.
• Risk Management: To assess risks and their underlying causes in projects.
• Decision-Making: When making decisions that require a thorough understanding of all factors involved and their interrelationships.
• Team Collaboration: To facilitate collaborative problem-solving and decision-making among team members.
• Continuous Improvement: As part of a continuous improvement process to identify areas for enhancement and implement solutions.

Advantages of the fishbone diagram are:

• Provides a clear and visual representation of the various potential causes and their relationships to the problem.
• Provides a systematic and structured approach to analyze root causes.
• Encourages collaboration among team members by involving them in the brainstorming process and results in shared understanding of the problem.
• Encourages data-based decision-making by using evidence and data to support the identification and analysis of causes.
• Enhances communication among team members by providing a common visual tool for discussing and understanding the problem and its causes.
• Can be used in various industries and contexts, including manufacturing, healthcare, project management, and quality management, making it a versatile tool for problem-solving.

Disadvantages of the fishbone diagram are:

• Fishbone diagrams may oversimplify complex issues by categorizing causes into predefined groups.
• The categorization of causes can be subjective, depending on the perspective of the individuals involved.
• Effective use of Fishbone Diagrams depends on active participation and collaboration among team members, which may be challenging to achieve in some situations.
• If not properly explained, Fishbone Diagrams may be misinterpreted, leading to incorrect conclusions or ineffective solutions.
• Requires time, effort, and input from multiple stakeholders.

Conclusion – Fishbone Diagram Cause and Effect

A fishbone diagram is a visual tool that helps identify the main causes and subcauses of a problem. It consists of a central horizontal line representing the problem or effect being analyzed, with diagonal lines branching off like the bones of a fish. Each branch represents a cause or category of causes contributing to the problem. The diagram help identify the underlying issues and help in generating solutions. The fishbone diagram is a structured approach for understanding the various factors influencing a problem, helping teams to pinpoint root causes and devise effective strategies for resolution.

FAQs on Fishbone Diagram Cause and Effect

A fishbone diagram is a visual tool that helps identify the root causes of a problem. It’s also called an Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect diagram.

What are the 6 Parts of the Fishbone Diagram?

The six parts of a fishbone diagram include the problem or effect, main causes or categories, sub-causes or subcategories, root causes, contributing factors, and solutions or actions.

What are the 4 P’s of the Fishbone Diagram?

The 4 P’s of the fishbone diagram are People, Processes, Policies, and Plant/Technology, representing categories of causes contributing to a problem or effect.

What are the 4 Ms of a Fishbone Diagram?

The 4 Ms of a fishbone diagram are Manpower, Machinery, Materials, and Methods, representing key categories of causes contributing to a problem or effect.

What are the 5 Steps for Creating a Fishbone Diagram?

The five steps for creating a fishbone diagram involve defining the problem, identifying major categories of causes (such as the 4 Ms or 4 P’s), brainstorming possible causes within each category, organizing causes onto the diagram, and analyzing to find root causes for effective problem-solving.

Who Invented Fishbone Diagram?

Kaoru Ishikawa invented the fishbone diagram in the 1960s.

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How to use the ishikawa fishbone diagram as an awesome problem-solving tool.

An easy explanation of how to use this powerful problem-solving tool with a simple fishbone diagram example.

Have you ever been faced with a problem you didn’t know how to address?

It seemed that there were many contributing factors and you didn’t know where to start?

You knew what the problem was, but not how to fix it?

Or you’re working with a team and you have different ideas about how to fix the issue.

Everyone agrees there’s a problem. But nobody’s figured out how to fix it yet.

In order to solve a problem, you first have to know what’s causing it.

A root-cause analysis tool is useful for this.

And a super simple one is the Ishikawa fishbone diagram.

It was named after Kaoru Ishikawa who first wrote about it in the 1960s.  And it’s called a Fishbone Diagram because it looks a bit like a fishbone.

This tool can be created electronically, but it can also easily be done on a whiteboard or a piece of paper. You don’t need anything fancy or technical to use this tool.

And it can help you uncover possible causes to problems you may not have considered.

It’s a great group activity because it not only allows a group to brainstorm root-causes. It also helps the participants get a better understanding of all the possible factors that could be contributing to a problem.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The fishbone diagram is a great problem-solving tool. It’s simple to do and you don’t need any fancy technology. It stimulates ideas and helps teams understand the root-causes to problems. #projectmanagement” quote=”The fishbone diagram is a great problem-solving tool. It’s simple to do and you don’t need any fancy technology. It stimulates ideas and helps teams understand the root-causes to problems. #projectmanagement”]

Why the Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram is a great Root-Cause Analysis tool:

• It helps you think of things you may not have considered . Different categories stimulate ideas in a brainstorming exercise.
• It helps you communicate with team members. It gives structure around the cause-effect exercise. It’s easy for participants to grasp how to use the tool, and work through different categories of possible causes to your problem.
• It’sasy to use. You don’t need any fancy software to use this tool. You can do it in Word or PowerPoint, or Excel. Even better, you can do it on a whiteboard or a piece of paper.

When to Use it

Use this tool any time you’re problem-solving or trying to determine the root cause of an issue or problem. It helps you see beyond the surface and dig deeper to get to the real issue.

How to Use the Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram

Depending on your organization or needs, you can use different categories for your fishbone diagram. Here are the simple steps to take when doing this exercise with your team.

1.     Explain to the team what you’re going to do. Let them know that the diagram will help you see different categories or potential areas that may contribute to your problem.

2.     Draw your diagram.  Draw the template or shape on your whiteboard, or draw it in your tool of choice. If you need to do this exercise with remote attendees, you can easily create it in PowerPoint and share your screen. I personally prefer doing this on a whiteboard.

3.     Determine a clear problem statement. Write this at the top of your page or above where you’ll create your picture. This ensures everyone has the same understanding of what problem you’re addressing.

In our example, we’ll identify the reoccurring problem that the team cannot meet the feature commitment.

4.     Choose the Categories you’ll use. Categories are explained more in-depth below. For our example, we’ll add use the categories of Policies, Procedures, People, Technology

5.    Identify possible causes to your problem within each category . Team members will brainstorm causes or contributing factors that fit into each category. You can either go category by category or simply come up with ideas and decide which category they fit into.

6.     Go a step deeper to identify sub-causes for each category cause.  If you determine that you can or need to break something down to smaller points, create branches from the main point. It could look like this image:

7.    Team members review the diagram to determine most important areas of focus. If you’re going to take this a step further to address the root cause, it helps to identify where you’ll get the most value for your effort. You can’t address all root causes at once, and some will have better payoff than others. Review the diagram to assess where your team’s focus is best placed.

8.     Vote on which root-causes to address first.  Team members place their votes on where the best places to focus efforts are.

9.    Agree on the top areas you’ll place your focus . Now that you’ve all voted, agree on the priority order you’ll address these items. This may be one, two, or three top prioritized areas.

10.  Document your findings. You’ve put in the effort. Capture your work and document it. You may need to refer to it later and you don’t want to lose the value you’ve gotten from the exercise.  You could simply take a picture of the whiteboard and recreate it in a PowerPoint you’ll share with management.

Possible Fishbone Diagram Category Choices

The categories listed below are common choices for the diagram. Determine which is the right fit for your needs.

• Plant/Technology
• Methods (Process)
• Measurements (Inspection)
• Mother Nature (Environment)
• Manpower (People)
• Management (Policies)
• Maintenance

Process Steps

The Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram is a crazy simple tool. It stimulates ideas and conversation and can be used with no complex technology. If you have never used this tool, I strongly suggest you give it a try in your next problem-solving session.

And check out this post on how to run a successful brainstorming session to get great ideas from your team while problem-solving.

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Leigh Espy is a project manager and coach with experience working in startups, government, and the corporate world. She works with project managers who want to improve their skills and grow in their career, and entrepreneurs and small businesses to help them get more done. She also remembers her early career days and loves working with new project managers and those who want to make a career move into project management.

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Managing ILs Reporting

Root cause analysis: the fishbone diagramme.

The fishbone diagram is a cause-and-effect diagram that can be used  to  identify  the  potential  (or  actual)   cause(s)  for  a performance  problem.  Fishbone  diagrams  provide  a  structure  for  a  group’s  discussion  around   the  potential  causes  of the problem.

Needs assessment applications

Fishbone diagrams are often used in needs assessment to assist in illustrating and/or communicating the relationships among several potential (or actual) causes of a performance problem.  Likewise, these graphical representations of relationships between needs (i.e., discrepancies between desired and actual results) offer you a pragmatic tool for building a system of performance improvement interventions (for instance, a combination of mentoring, job aids, training, motivation, new expectations) around the often complex relationships found across potential (or actual) causes.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Fishbone  diagrams  permit  a  thoughtful  analysis  that  avoids  overlooking  any  possible  root  causes  for  a need.
• The  fishbone  technique  is  easy  to  implement  and  creates  an  easy-to-understand  visual  representation  of the  causes,  categories  of  causes,  and  the  need.
• By  using  a  fishbone  diagram,  you  are  able  to  focus  the  group  on  the  “big  picture”  as  to  possible  causes or  factors  influencing  the  problem/need.
• Even  after  the  need  has  been  addressed,  the  fishbone  diagram  shows  areas  of  weakness  that  – once exposed  –  can  be  rectified  before  causing  more  sustained  difficulties.

Disadvantages

• The  simplicity  of  a  fishbone  diagram  can  be  both  its  strength  and  its  weakness.  As  a  weakness,  the   simplicity  of the  fishbone  diagram  may  make  it  difficult  to  represent  the  truly  interrelated  nature  of   problems  and  causes  in  some very  complex  situations.
• Unless  you  have  an  extremely  large  space  on  which  to  draw  and  develop  the  fishbone  diagram,  you may  find  that  you  are  not  able  to  explore  the  cause  and  effect  relationships  in  as  much  detail  as  you would  like  to.

How to use the tool

• Identify  gaps  between  the  results  (i.e.,  performance)  that  are  required  for  the  successful  accomplishment of your  programs/projects  results  chain  (i.e.,  logic  frame)  and  current  achievements  to-date.
• Generate  a  clear,  concise  statement  of  the  need(s).  Make  sure  that  everyone  in  the  group  agrees  with  the need as  it  is  stated.  For  example,  the  national  administration  has  been  able  to  provide  reports  on  time   in  respect  of (on average) 25% of reports actually requested during the last 10 years and the aim of your  program/project  is  for  100% of  the  reports requested each reporting year to be provided on time, with informative and responsive content.
• Using  a  long  sheet  of  paper, draw a line horizontally along the page.  This line will be the “spine” of the fish. Write  the  need  along  the  spine,  on  the left hand side.
• Identify  the overarching categories of causes of the need. Brainstorming is often an effective technique for identifying  the  categories of causes.  For each category of causes, draw a “bone”, a line at a 45 degree angle from the spine of the fish. Label  each  spine  (see  Figure  1).
• Have the group brainstorm to identify the factors that may be affecting the cause and/or the need.  For each category of causes, the group should be asking:  “Why is this happening”?  Add each “reason why” to the diagram, clustered around the major cause category it influences.
• Repeat the procedure for  asking “Why  is  this  happening” for each effect, until the question yields no more meaningful  answers (see  Figure  2).
• When the group has come to the consensus that the diagram contains an adequate amount of information, analyze the  diagram.  In particular, look for causes that are appearing in more than one section of the diagram.
• Circle anything that seems to be a root cause for the need.  Prioritize the root causes and decide to take action. This action may involve further investigating the root causes.

Tips for success

• Make sure that there is consensus in the group about both the “need” and the characteristics of the “cause statement”  before  beginning the process of building the fishbone diagram.
• If appropriate, you can “graft” branches that do not contain a lot of information onto other branches.   Likewise, you can “split” branches that have too much information into two or more branches as you go.
• Make parsimonious use of words while populating the fishbone diagram.  Only use as many words as necessary to describe the cause or effect.

References and resources

• This tool is adapted from a WBI Evaluation Group tool, first published in 2007.
• Gupta,  K.,  Sleezer,  C.M.,  &  Russ-Eft,  D.F.  (2007):   A  Practical  Guide  to  Needs  Assessment , Pfeiffer.
• The  Fishbone  Diagram  (from  Six  Sigma;  has  templates  for  making  fishbone  diagrams  in  Microsoft  Word  and  Microsoft  Excel).

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Fishbone diagram.

Also called cause and effect diagram

What is a fishbone diagram? How to construct a fishbone diagram Examples of fishbone diagrams More information Source

What is a fishbone diagram?

A fishbone diagram helps team members visually diagram a problem or condition's root causes, allowing them to truly diagnose the problem rather than focusing on symptoms. It allows team members to separate a problem's content from its history, and allows for team consensus around the problem and its causes.

How to construct a fishbone diagram

1. problem statement.

Draft a clear problem statement, on which all team members agree. Be specific about how and when the problem occurs.

Write the problem statement on the right side of your paper, at the head of the "fish." Your team will work out and away from this problem. Draw a line with an arrow toward the head of the fish—this is the fish's "backbone."

2. Categorization

Brainstorm major categories of your process or procedure. Connect them to the backbone, in "ribs." There is no specific number of steps or categories you might need to describe the problem; some common categories are listed below.

3. Contributing factors

Brainstorm possible problem causes, and attach each to the appropriate rib. Your team might find it helpful to place ideas on category ribs as they are generated, or to brainstorm an entire list of ideas and then place them on ribs all at once.

Ideally, each contributing factor would fit neatly into a single category, but some causes may seem to fit into multiple categories. If you have a contributing factor that fits into more than one category, place it in each location, and see whether, in the end, considering that factor from multiple points of view has made a difference.

4. Ask: Why?

As you list a factor, repeatedly ask your team why that factor is present:

• Why does staff lack expertise? (Because we don't attend training.)
• Why don't we attend training? (Because we don't have the funding.)
• Why don't we have the funding? (Because we haven't applied for grants.)
• Why don't we apply for grants? (Because we're unaware of sources.)

Sometimes this asking process is called the "Five Whys," as five is often a manageable number to reach a suitable root cause. Your team may need more or less than five whys. (More Information: Wikipedia: Five Whys .)

5. Many ribs: Deeper causes

You may end up with multiple branches off of each successively smaller rib. Your team might lack expertise, for example, because of a lack of training, but also because you didn't hire the right people for the job. Treat each contributing factor as its own "mini-rib," and keep asking why each factor is occurring.

Continue to push deeper for a clear understanding. While you could likely brainstorm all day, however, it is important to know when to stop to avoid frustration. A good rule of thumb: When a cause is controlled by more than one level of management, remove it from the group.

6. Test for root causes

Test for root causes by looking for causes that appear repeatedly within categories or across major categories.

Hint: Use check sheets to determine the frequencies of various causes, and scatter plots to test the strength of cause-effect correlation.

Examples of fishbone diagrams

Health Alert Network; Carver County Public Health, September 2007 Click to view larger.

Introduction to Fishbone Diagrams (PPT) AIDS Training and Education Centers

More information

Root Cause Analysis Toolkit MDH Division of Health Policy

Fishbone Diagram American Society for Quality

Fishbone Diagrams [Note: Video will autoplay] Western Regional Public Health Training Center

Public Health Memory Jogger Public Health Foundation, GOAL/QPC

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Fishbone diagram: Solving problems properly

Every company faces its own problems. Often managing directors and employees are forced to deal with new challenges every day. But how wise is it having to overcome the same obstacles every day? Instead of dealing with the symptoms, the root of the problem must be addressed. But finding the cause of a problem is not an easy task. The fishbone diagram assists in identifying the cause of a problem.

What is the fishbone diagram?

Step 1: stating the problem, step 2: defining the main influencing factors, step 3: stating the causes, step 4: setting priorities, step 5: taking measures, advantages and disadvantages of the fishbone method.

The fishbone diagram, invented by Ishikawa Kaoru, a Japanese chemist, (hence why it is also referred to as the Ishikawa diagram) aims to help companies find solutions to problems and their causes in a structured way . It is therefore also called the cause-effect diagram . Every problem, requiring a sustainable solution, is graphically illustrated with its respective causes in the diagram.

The problem that needs to be addressed is on the right side of the diagram. It is written down before any other observations are made. Be as accurate as possible when describing the problem and write it on the right hand side of the flip chart or blackboard. You then draw a line or an arrow to the left i.e. pointing towards the problem. Several other lines branch off from this main line: the possible causes of the problem. When specifying the potential causes of the problem, you can use several methods: the 4M method, and its extensions the 5M and 8M methods, are frequently used. They refer to the main influencing factors of processes, which often lead to problems.

The 4M method uses the following main influencing factors:

The 5M method also uses the additional factor of:

• Mother Nature

When using the 8M method , three additional factors are used:

• Measurement

It is not always mandatory to use 4, 5 or 8 factors for the fishbone diagram. Instead, all relevant factors for the problem should be addressed. And you can of course use other terms that do not begin with M.

The lines branching off from the main line list the actual causes of the problem and are arranged according to the appropriate categories. These causes should be identified very explicitly as opposed to the rather broadly defined main influencing factors.

This graph resembles a fish skeleton, which is why the Ishikawa diagram is also known as the fishbone diagram.

✘ Requires discipline and simplicity in order to render the diagram useful ✔ Categorizes possible causes ✘ Predefined categories (e.g. 5M) can limit creative problem-solving avenues ✔ Working in a team opens up new perspectives ✘ Complex correlations cannot be illustrated in the fishbone diagram ✔ Causalities of causes are illustrated ✘ Does not provide solutions, but only illustrates the causes ✔ Encourages employees to contribute ideas   ✔ Simplifies the problem   ✔ Easy to use and easy to learn  

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The Advantages of Using a Fishbone for Problem Solving

Let’s start with looking at what a fishbone diagram is. The fishbone diagram is a basic graphical presentation which shows every of the possible cause of a particular problem. This diagram is also referred to the cause and effect diagram, the herringbone diagram well as the Ishikawa.

The fishbone for problem solving was invented by a Japanese professor called Kaoru Ishikawa in the year 1960. Kaoru Ishikawa is a highly respected specialist in quality management and of course the diagram itself looks like a fish. For this particular reason, it is hence popularly called a fishbone diagram.

The fishbone for problem solving helps explore whatever might be causing a particular problem. It is essential to identify the actual cause of a problem before trying to figure out how to solve the problem.

When making use of the fishbone for problem solving, it provides a complete list of probable causes for the identification of the root cause of a problem. The very first advantage of the fishbone is to give a better comprehension of the problem and therefore, the root cause of the problem can be gotten rid of in one shot instead of solving the problem bit by bit.

To identify the root cause of a problem and come up with a mind map that graphically displays all the identified causes, the fishbone makes use of a brainstorming strategy to gather the causes. On occasions, the most obvious cause might turn out to be a minor one and the one thought to be minor could be the major cause. To avoid this error, making use of the fishbone for problem solving gives the chance to thoroughly think about the root cause of a particular problem thus, leading to a more robust resolution.

The fishbone forces one to consider every probable cause of a problem rather than only paying attention to the most obvious cause.

Benefits of Using Fishbone for Problem Solving

Fishbone diagrams are valuable because they help to display information in an understandable and neat manner. Below are 5 primary benefits of making use of fishbone for problem solving.

To Display Relationships Reasonably and Visibly

The fishbone captures the relationships and links among the probable causes and outcomes shown in the diagram. The correlation can then be comprehended at a glance when categorized reasonably.

Simultaneously Show Every Possible Cause

Any cause displayed on the fishbone diagram could be a possibly lead to the particular problem. The fishbone describes every probable reason in a diagram and this is valuable for in-depth analysis. This capability increases the usefulness of the fishbone for problem solving for stakeholders.

Involves Team for Brainstorming

A fishbone diagram is a great way to structure and boost team brainstorming about reasons of some particular outcomes because it captures every of the causes.

Input for Solving Problems

The team assigned to find out probable solutions to every problem might be stimulated after seeing the reasons in the graph and discovering the root cause.

To Maintain Team Focus

The fishbone helps keep the team focused as discussions are had on what to be done to find solution to a problem or achieve a particular goal. It also helps to make sure that no one is wasting energy pursuing problems that are not existing.

Some other advantages of using fishbone for problem solving are;

• Ease of comprehension and analysing.
• It assists in preventing team members from quarrelling and putting blames on each other because of an arising problem.
• It assists in identifying the various ways for improving the process.
• It helps in the identification of the root cause of a problem.
• It helps to prioritize further analysis and take the necessary corrective actions.
• It assists in identifying the bottlenecks in processes.

The fishbone is a very essential tool in the identification of the root cause of a particular problem. Though, it is usually time consuming to develop this diagram, the benefits of making use of a fishbone for problem solving are however, very huge. In recent times, the cause and effect diagram is being made use of in every industry including production, project management, marketing, manufacturing and many others.

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Problem-Solving Your Fishbone Into a Wishbone

By Dr. Neil Baum

This article was written with contributions from Dave Spiciarich , MedAmorphosis process improvement expert.

The fishbone analysis tool can make your practice problem-solving wishes come true.

There are those who learn by the auditory method, or being told what is needed, and those who are more visually oriented. The Fishbone, officially called the Ishikawa diagram, was popularized in the 1960s by Kaoru Ishikawa, and is considered one of the seven tools of quality management . The Fishbone Analysis (FBA) is now a standard tool for problem-solving in practice improvement projects.

The Fishbone Analysis begins with a problem and the fishbone structure diagram provides a template to identify and organize the causes. Usually, there are six categories, but the number can be changed depending on the problem. One version is to use the traditional six categories: machine, method, manpower, material, measurement and mother nature (environment). This method allows problems to be studied and provides everybody with an insight into the problem so solutions can be developed and then implemented.

When a practice uses FBA to evaluate a problem such as patient experience, clinical outcomes or compliance, there tends to be an open atmosphere that fosters greater understanding of the causes of a problem and quick identification of possible solutions.

Root cause analysis (RCA)

RCA is increasingly used in healthcare to improve safety, quality and minimize adverse events, as it provides a retrospective analysis of incidents or events.

The Fishbone Analysis diagram provides an effective tool to identify all the possible causes of a problem, not just the most obvious ones. The strength of the Fishbone diagram is twofold:

• The exercise drives creative thinking to uncover all the potential causes of the problem.
• Then it organizes those causes to help focus the attention of the team.

How to do a Fishbone Analysis for problem-solving

When using a Fishbone diagram method of root cause analysis, the following steps should be taken.

• First, identify the people who are familiar with the problem and can manage/approve potential solutions. Invite them to the team. Make sure the group is clear about the problem to be discussed and that everyone is in agreement. This is the most important step in the process. By properly defining the problem, the team will be able to focus its thinking to reveal the relevant causes. Pro tip:  Phrasing the problem in the form of a question will help team members present their causes as answers to the question.
• Next, brainstorm all of the possible causes of the problem. This is not a time to be judgmental but a time to encourage everyone to participate. We like to have everyone write their ideas on a Post-it and stick them on a whiteboard for all to see.
• Once all the possible causes of the problem are listed, they can then be organized onto the fishbone. Start with the standard six sections, or determine if custom grouping is necessary (see the below example for custom grouping).
• Next, determine which causes are most impactful (impact and frequency).
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for the top issues identified and organize the root causes as “sub bones” on the diagram.
• Lastly, determine which root causes will get attention and solutions.

Developing solutions is the next step. This process elicits root causes rather than just symptoms and results in a detailed visual diagram of all the possible causes of a particular problem. Exploring issues in detail often reveals solutions that might not have been previously considered.

Although participating in an FBA exercise may seem time-consuming and daunting, the critical thinking skills gained through the experience can help doctors and staff enhance the patient experience throughout the practice.

The Fishbone at work

Oz Urology was experiencing a significant increase in no-show appointments. This was disruptive to the practice, causing lost income and decreased patient dissatisfaction.

Staff from the scheduling, reception and finance departments gathered together to try and figure out the cause behind the no-shows. Pam, the office manager, served as the meeting facilitator. She started by writing the problem to be addressed on a whiteboard: Why are no-shows occurring on average 4 times per week, an increase of 34 percent over last year? Working individually, she gave the team 15 minutes to write possible causes on sticky notes. Pam had listed four “bones” to group the problems into procedures, technology, patients and people.

While there were some good entries for each of the bones, it was clear from the start that the technology bone was getting most of the causes. The practice had implemented new scheduling software in the last five months that sent appointment reminders via text so the practice didn’t need to call or leave messages. The software also, allegedly, sent emails. In the people category, it had been noted that the training for the new system had been rushed and left incomplete. Standing alone on the procedure bone was the fact that front desk personnel were no longer making appointment reminder calls.

Looking at the Fishbone it was clear that the new software and the elimination of the appointment reminder call were the most impactful reasons for patients missing their appointments. Pam and the team agreed that the first action needed to be reinstating the reminder call until the software could be used more effectively.

The key to successful implementation of a Fishbone Analysis is to follow a rigorous process:

• Assemble the team.
• Identify the problem.
• Brainstorm possible causes of the problem.
• Organize the causes onto the “bones” of the fish.
• Determine which causes are most impactful.
• Perform a root cause analysis for the identified causes.
• Develop solutions for those causes.

Fishbone Analysis provides a template to identify and organize possible causes of a problem by allowing teams to focus on the problem, rather than complaints or survey results. It is useful in FBA to employ a team from across the practice to generate a sense of total participation rather than finger pointing. While the Ishikawa diagram has been used in manufacturing for decades, it is now being adopted in medical practices to improve quality, efficiency and the patient experience .

Need help solving problems in your practice?

Our MedAmorphosis practice improvement team assists practices in defining problems, determining possible solutions and implementing those solutions over time.

Questions? Contact us

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Fishbone diagram: Solving problems properly

Every company faces its own problems. Often managing directors and employees are forced to deal with new challenges every day. But how wise is it having to overcome the same obstacles every day? Instead of dealing with the symptoms, the root of the problem must be addressed. But finding the cause of a problem is not an easy task. The fishbone diagram assists in identifying the cause of a problem.

What is the fishbone diagram?

Step 1: stating the problem, step 2: defining the main influencing factors, step 3: stating the causes, step 4: setting priorities, step 5: taking measures, advantages and disadvantages of the fishbone method.

The fishbone diagram, invented by Ishikawa Kaoru, a Japanese chemist, (hence why it is also referred to as the Ishikawa diagram) aims to help companies find solutions to problems and their causes in a structured way . It is therefore also called the cause-effect diagram . Every problem, requiring a sustainable solution, is graphically illustrated with its respective causes in the diagram.

The problem that needs to be addressed is on the right side of the diagram. It is written down before any other observations are made. Be as accurate as possible when describing the problem and write it on the right hand side of the flip chart or blackboard. You then draw a line or an arrow to the left i.e. pointing towards the problem. Several other lines branch off from this main line: the possible causes of the problem. When specifying the potential causes of the problem, you can use several methods: the 4M method, and its extensions the 5M and 8M methods, are frequently used. They refer to the main influencing factors of processes, which often lead to problems.

The 4M method uses the following main influencing factors:

The 5M method also uses the additional factor of:

• Mother Nature

When using the 8M method , three additional factors are used:

• Measurement

It is not always mandatory to use 4, 5 or 8 factors for the fishbone diagram. Instead, all relevant factors for the problem should be addressed. And you can of course use other terms that do not begin with M.

The lines branching off from the main line list the actual causes of the problem and are arranged according to the appropriate categories. These causes should be identified very explicitly as opposed to the rather broadly defined main influencing factors.

This graph resembles a fish skeleton, which is why the Ishikawa diagram is also known as the fishbone diagram.

✘ Requires discipline and simplicity in order to render the diagram useful ✔ Categorises possible causes ✘ Predefined categories (e.g. 5M) can limit creative problem-solving avenues ✔ Working in a team opens up new perspectives ✘ Complex correlations cannot be illustrated in the fishbone diagram ✔ Causalities of causes are illustrated ✘ Does not provide solutions, but only illustrates the causes ✔ Encourages employees to contribute ideas   ✔ Simplifies the problem   ✔ Easy to use and easy to learn  

Please note the legal disclaimer relating to this article.

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