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Cause and Effect diagram, Ishikawa or Fishbone diagram

Fishbone diagram

What is a Cause and Effect Diagram?

Cause and Effect Diagram is also known as

  • Fishbone Diagram or
  • Ishikawa Diagram or
  • Why-Why Diagram.

It is a technique that is used to find the root cause of a problem, and the process of finding the root cause of a problem is called Root Cause Analysis. 

What is Root Cause Analysis?

Root Cause Analysis is a structured process that helps in identifying the underlying factors or causes of an adverse event or a problem. Understanding the causes of the problem can help develop actions that sustain the correction.

A Cause and effect diagram or Fishbone diagram helps in brainstorming to identify the possible causes of the problem, and in sorting these ideas into useful categories. Fishbone diagram is a visual way to look at cause and effect. The problem or effect is displayed at the head or mouth of the fish. Possible contributing causes are listed on the smaller “bones” under various cause categories.

Cause and Effect Diagram Example or Fishbone Diagram Example

Take the example below, where the final effect or problem is “PMP Exam failed”.

 

Fishbone diagram

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