How to Use a Fishbone Chart

Fishbone diagrams can help find solutions to problems.

The fishbone diagram is also known as the cause-and-effect diagram. Invented by Kaoru Ishikawa, this chart is used to identify all possible causes of a problem. The beginning of the chart is the "head" of the fish. A horizontal line extends from the head with diagonal lines on each side of it to denote the "fish bones." Fishbone diagrams are used in school rooms to explain the processes of certain outcomes. They are also used in many other industries to facilitate brainstorming. Using (creating) a fishbone diagram to analyze the probable steps leading to a problem can be a helpful tool in finding a solution.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen and/or pencils
• Outline of a fishbone diagram

Instructions

Using a Fishbone Diagram

1. Look at fishbone diagram examples or outlines. To use the fishbone diagram, create your own in relation to your problem. It helps to first review others' diagrams.

2. State your problem. You must start with the effect to attempt to derive the causes. This is the "head" of your fishbone diagram.

3. Write the causes, as categories, on your diagonal lines. These are the "bones." Examples could be methods, equipment, people, materials, measurement and environment.

4. 

   Brainstorm the causes of the effect or problem. Put all relevant causes branching out from appropriate categories.

5. Brainstorm causes of causes. Look at the causes in your categories. What are the causes of each of them? Add branches to each cause until you have identified as many of them as you can.

6. Review your results. With a comprehensive chart detailing causes of your outcome/problem, you can fix the causes and start to fix the problem.

References

• Safer Pak: Cause and Effect
• ASQ: Cause Analysis Tools--Fishbone Diagram

Resources

• Florida State University: How do I Use Fishbone Diagrams?