Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram Purpose: to identify all of the possible factors that contribute to a problem, [also called the “effect”] Guidelines: Clearly describe the problem (effect) to be diagrammed. –Ex: files out of place, too many students in line, job cost above estimates

Fishbone Diagram Draw a box or triangle around the effect with an arrow heading to it. Identify the major categories of factors that contribute to the problem. Commonly used categories: People, equipment, methods, materials Effect

Fishbone Diagram Draw a box around each category with an arrow pointing at the effect arrows Brainstorm the detailed factors that contribute to the problem (effect). Ask questions such as: What causes this? Why does this happen? Effect people methods Equip.

Fishbone Diagram Fishbone Diagram is: Pictorial display to identify and organize possible causes of problems, or factors needed to ensure success of some effort Allows visualization of the relationship between factors to study processes, situations, and for planning.