Fishbone Diagram
Definition
A visual cause-and-effect analysis tool that maps potential causes across structured categories.
The Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa or Cause-and-Effect Diagram) is a Step 2 (Analyze) tool that maps all potential causes of a problem across categories. The "head" is the problem, the "bones" are cause categories (typically the 6Ms: Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Mother Nature). Teams brainstorm causes on sticky notes, cluster them, and vote on the top root causes for further investigation.
Related Tools
Related Terms
Root Cause Analysis
The systematic process of identifying the underlying causes of a problem, not just its symptoms.
Five-Why Analysis
A root cause technique that drills deeper by repeatedly asking "Why?" until reaching an actionable cause.
Six-M Categories
The six cause categories of a Fishbone Diagram: Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Mother Nature.
Where This Fits in the PIPS Methodology
This concept is used in Step 2: Analyze — Root cause analysis (fishbone, 5-why, force-field).
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