Submitted by: Submitted by charrelynne
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Category: Literature
Date Submitted: 08/17/2010 10:04 AM
The Cause and Effect (a.k.a. Fishbone) Diagram
The Fishbone diagram is also known as the Ishikawa diagram. It was invented by a Japanese quality control statistician, Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa. It is used to deepen a team's understanding of a problem or issue, usually at the corresponding stage of the remodeling process. The process is called Fishbone Analysis because of the way in which the information gathered is arranged visually – like the skeleton of a fish.
When should a fishbone diagram be used?
* Need to study a problem/issue to determine the root cause?
* Want to study all the possible reasons why a process is beginning to have difficulties, problems, or breakdowns?
* Need to identify areas for data collection?
* Want to study why a process is not performing properly or producing the desired results
Because of the function of the fishbone diagram, it may be referred to as a cause-and-effect diagram.
How to draw a fish bone diagram
* Write down the problem on one side.
* Draw a straight line (like the backbone of a fish).
* Draw stems at angles to the backbone line.
* At the end of each of these stems, list the categories.
* For every category, think of several primary causes for the problem.
* For every primary cause, think of supporting reasons (secondary causes).
The major categories typically utilized are:
Manufacturing / Industry:
The 4 M’s: Methods, Machines, Materials, Manpower
The 6 M’s: Methods, Machines, Materials, Manpower, Measurement, Mother Nature
The 9 M’s: Methods, Machines, Materials, Manpower, Measurement, Mother Nature, Maintenance,
Management, Marketing
Service / Office:
The 4 P’s: Place, Procedure, People, Policies
The 8 P’s: Place, Procedure, People, Policies, Price, Promotion, Process, Product
The 4 S’s: Surroundings, Suppliers, Systems, Skills
Any of these categories can be used individually or can be combined in any fashion.
The team should be encouraged to analyze and...