ISHIKAWA DIAGRAM / CAUSE EFFECT DIAGRAM / FISHBONE DIAGRAM

A cause effect diagram is a graphical tool to explore and display the possible causes of a certain effect. The cause effect diagram using the natural categories ( man, method, equipment, environment and people) is called classic cause effect diagram and the diagram made to show causes of problems at each step is called process-type cause effect diagram.
Benefits of making a cause effect diagram may be

•  It helps people to understand that there are many problems that contribute to an specific effect.
•  It diagrammatically displays the relationship that causes to the effect and to each other.
•  It helps to understand areas of improvement.

STEPS FOR MAKING A CAUSE-EFFECT DIAGRAM:

STEP 1:- Write the effect in a box on the right hand side of a page, draw a horizontal line to the left of effect.

STEP 2:- List the major categories of factors of effect that are to be studied and draw diagonal lines above and below the horizontal line and label them with categories you have choosen.

STEP 3:- Generate list of causes in each category.

STEP 4:- List the causes on each diagonal respectively and draw branches on them to show relationship among causes.

STEP 5:-  Develop the causes by asking "why?" until you have reached a useful level of detail i.e., when the cause is specific enough to be able to test a change and measure its effect.

HELPFUL HINT.:-

Consider using a positive effect (an objective, for example) instead of a negative effect (a problem, for example) as the effect to be discussed. Focusing on problems can produce “finger pointing,” while focusing on desired outcomes fosters pride and ownership over productive areas. The resulting positive atmosphere will enhance the group’s creativity.

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