Cause and Effect Diagram

(Ishikawa)
A visual brainstorming tool used to help identify and categorize potential root causes named for Kaoru Ishikawa.

Summary
The development of the cause and effect
Fishbone diagram is credited to Kaoru
Ishikawa, who pioneered quality management
processes in the Kawasaki shipyards.
The cause and effect diagram is used to
explore potential causes (or inputs) that
result in a single undesirable effect (UDE, or
output). Causes are categorized under six
headings, namely Machinery, Methods,
Measurement, Manpower, Materials, and
Environment. Potential causes can be
arranged according to their level of
importance or detail, resulting in a depiction
of relationships and hierarchy of events. It is
the hierarchy that creates a map that looks
somewhat like fish bones, hence the name.
The Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram is intended
help you brainstorm and search for potential
root causes or identify areas where there may
be problems by questioning the existence of
causes under each of the six categories.

Ishikawa Fishbone Template

Measurement
Measurement Methods
Methods

Machinery
Machinery

UDE

Causes, inputs,
or sources
of variation

Manpower
Manpower

Materials
Materials

Environment
Environment

A UDE is an UnDesireable Effect