A Fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram/cause-and-effect diagram) can be utilized to identify the likely causes of a specific problem, allowing your team to resolve it more efficiently.

The Ishikawa diagram is shaped like a fish skeleton because its creator, Kaoru Ishikawa, was a quality control statistician in Japan who wanted to symbolize the idea that the diagram branches out in multiple directions, like the bones in a fish skeleton, to represent the many factors that can contribute to a particular problem. The shape also helped Ishikawa communicate the idea that the problem can be dissected to reveal its underlying causes.

There are several benefits to using a fishbone diagram:

1. Problem Solving: Helps to identify and analyze the root causes of a problem
2. Team Collaboration: Encourages teamwork and brainstorming in finding solutions
3. Structured Approach: Provides a structured visual approach to problem-solving
4. Clear Communication: Facilitates clear communication of the problem and its causes
5. Continual Improvement: Supports continuous improvement by finding and addressing underlying causes.

How do you use this fishbone diagram?

1. Define the Problem: Type the problem statement on the "head" of fish in the diagram.
2. Collaborate with Your Team: Invite team members to the board and collaborate in real-time to add to or modify the diagram.
3. Identify the Possible Causes: Use sticky notes to list the possible causes and place them on the branches of the diagram.
4. Organize the Causes: Group related causes together and label the categories.
5. Analyze and Solve the Problem: Use the diagram to identify the root cause of the problem for each branch and work together to find a solution that leads to a resolution of the main problem statement.

What is an example of effective use of a fishbone diagram?

Assuming the main problem in the fish head is "Late Deliveries", below are examples of problem statements that would go into the sub branches on the diagram:

The team would plot each of the sub-branches identified in the table on the fishbone diagram as a branch off the main problem of "Late Deliveries." These sub-branches represent the potential causes of late deliveries, and the team would use these to brainstorm and analyze the root cause of the problem.

For example, under the sub-branch of "Supply Chain Delays," the team would plot each of the identified causes such as "Late raw material procurement," "Delayed transportation of materials," etc. The same would be done for each of the other sub-branches. This would provide a visual representation of the potential causes of late deliveries, and help the team to analyze the root cause and develop solutions to resolve the issue.