Write it as a branch from the appropriate category.Brainstorm all the possible causes of the problem.Written as branches from the main arrow for each of the major categories include: equipment or supply factors, environmental factors, rules/policy/procedure factors, and people/staff factors.Identify the major categories of causes of the problem.Identify the problem statement (also referred to as the effect).

Most helpful as a team process for brainstorming collaboratively.When having difficulty understanding contributing factors or causes of a system failure.When identifying possible causes for a problem.It can help to focus attention on the process where a problem is occurring and to allow for constructive use of facts revealed by reported events. Because everyone’s ideas can find a place on the diagram, a cause-and-effect analysis helps to generate consensus about causes. People often use the 5-whys technique in conjunction with the fishbone diagram.Ī cause-and-effect analysis stimulates and broadens thinking about potential or real causes and facilitates further examination of individual causes. Cause-and-effect diagrams can reflect either cause that blocks the way to the desired state or helpful factors needed to reach the desired state.įishbone Diagram (also known as Cause and Effect Diagram or Ishikawa Diagram) It visually displays multiple causes for a problem and helps us to identify stakeholder ideas about the causes of problems which Allows us to immediately categorize ideas into themes for analysis or further data gathering. The cause-and-effect analysis allows problem solvers to broaden their thinking and look at the overall picture of a problem. A cause-and-effect analysis generates and sorts hypotheses about possible causes of problems within a process by asking participants to list all of the possible causes and effects for the identified problem.Ĭause and effect analysis is often conducted by drawing cause-and-effect diagrams (also known as Fishbone Diagram), which organize a large amount of information by showing links between events and their potential or actual causes and provide a means of generating ideas about why the problem is occurring and possible effects of that cause. This is a combination of action and reaction. Cause and effect is a relationship between events or things, where one is the result of the other or others.

Ishikawa diagram method