What is a Fishbone Diagram?

Now, why is it called a Fishbone diagram? It is not without any reason. The name comes from the shape this tool takes after its formation. Its structure resembles the bone structure of fishes. The problem is written in the rightmost part, the fish’s head. On the left runs its spine, which has bone-like arrows pointing to the main causes. Under those main causes are determined the sub-causes.

Reference Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram and its components:

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This diagram is drawn on an excel sheet; alternatively, this can be made on word or paint. Many online websites and templates provide you with ready-to-use diagrams. As seen in the diagram, the problem/issue is mentioned on the right. The main causes are mentioned on the tip of bones stretching from the spine bone. Under these main causes are mentioned the causes and sub-causes.

How to Create a Fishbone diagram?

Identification of Factors Causing a Defect

For the identification of factors, we may consider breaking all the reasons under the following main causes:

  • Make the head of the fish on the right. Here we mention the subject that needs our attention. Draw a backbone on the left. Draw branches to the backbones that will list the main causes. List four to eight main causes. Under these main causes are listed the causes and sub-causes. These can be identified by organizing a brainstorming session or minutely following the whole process and identifying all the possible reasons that can lead to quality damage.

  • MachineMaterialsMethodsPersonnel (Men)MeasurementsEnvironment

Alternatively, we may also use the five whys a technique or the 4 P’s (Product, Policies, Procedures, and Plant). We can also create our main causes to group the causes as we deem fit.

Examples of Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram

Example #1

Let’s try an example where the problem that needs our attention is wrong/delayed/damaged delivery. The possible reasons are many, like faulty packaging that led to damage during transit, the wrong product being released for delivery, or the address label on the product wasn’t correct. We can classify the same in main causes and present it in the fishbone diagram like below:

Example #2

Let’s take one more example. Looking at how well we addressed the above problem, we have hired consultants from a burger store to identify the reasons for preparing a bad quality burger. The question sounds tasty. I mean engaging.

Advantages

  • This technique is widely used in product design, quality improvement, and defect minimization.Instead of pointing out just one reason, this technique gives us a gamut of all the possible reasons that assist not only in identifying the root cause of the current problem and avoid any future mishappening.

Limitations

This technique should not be used as a one-time activity. Instead, this activity should be undertaken continuously to be proactive in determining any possible loophole.

Conclusion

The fishbone diagram is a visual representation of cause and effect relationships. It is simple to use the tool yet very effective in improving a process and the quality of a product or service. With its continuous implementation, an organization can be proactive in determining any process shortcoming and address problems quickly and accurately.

The business organization can effectively use this tool to achieve six-sigma results in their processes. It can be drawn on paper, a spreadsheet, any word processing software, or with the assistance of much online software.

This article is a guide to a fishbone diagram (Ishikawa). Here we discuss examples of drawing an Ishikawa diagram with the factors causing a defect. You can learn more about financing from the following articles –

  • Form S4Animation Chart in ExcelTemplate of Fishbone DiagramTornado Chart in ExcelFunnel Chart in Excel Example