The document discusses cause and effect diagrams, also known as fishbone diagrams. It begins by defining cause and effect diagrams as visual problem-solving tools used to identify the causes of problems in relation to their effects or observed results. It then discusses that Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese quality expert, invented the fishbone diagram in 1943 to help engineers understand complex factor relationships. The major purpose of cause and effect diagrams is to generate a comprehensive list of possible causes as an initial step in problem-solving. Finally, it discusses that possible causes can be categorized into sources like measurement, method, people, materials, equipment, and environment when using a fishbone diagram.

1. Cause and Effect Diagram
Sarvesh Kumar

2. Definition
A cause and effect diagram is a visual map that functions as a problem-solving tool. As
the name suggests, its main purpose is to help you identify the cause of a troubling
situation in relation to the effect (or results) you’ve observed.
A fishbone diagram is a visualization tool for categorizing the potential causes of a
problem. This tool is used in order to identify a problem’s root causes. Typically used for
root cause analysis, a fishbone diagram combines the practice of brainstorming with a
type of mind map template. It should be efficient as a test case technique to
determine cause and effect.

3. Inventor
The Cause and Effect Diagram was invented by Professor Kaoru Ishikawa of Tokyo
University, a highly regarded Japanese expert in quality management.
He first used it in 1943 to help explain to a group of engineers at Kawasaki Steel
Works how a complex set of factors could be related to help understand a
problem.
Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese quality control expert, is credited with inventing the
fishbone diagram to help employees avoid solutions that merely address the
symptoms of a much larger problem.

4. The major purpose of the Cause and Effect Diagram is to act as a first step in problem
solving by generating a comprehensive list of possible causes. It can lead to
immediate identification of major causes and point to the potential remedial actions
or, failing this, it may indicate the best potential areas for further exploration and
analysis. At a minimum, preparing a Cause and Effect Diagram will lead to greater
understanding of the problem.
A fishbone diagram is useful in brainstorming sessions to focus conversation.
Purpose

5. Possible causes of variation may be numerous, but they will invariably fall into the
following categories:
Find ways to ensure that people involved in a process know what to do and when to
do it.
Categorizing Sources of Variation
Measurement:
The Measurement category groups Root Causes related to the
measurement and measuring of a process activity or output:
Examples of questions to ask:
 Is there a metric issue?
 Is there a valid measurement system?
 Is the data good enough?
 Is data readily available?
Y
Measurement

6. Method:
The Method category groups Root Causes related to how the
work is done, the way the process is actually conducted:
Examples of questions to ask:
 How is this performed?
 Are procedures correct?
 What might be unusual?
Y
Method
People:
Category groups Root Causes related to people, staffing and
Organizational structure:
Examples of questions to ask:
 Are people trained, do they have the right skills?
 Is there person to person variation?
 Are people over-worked, under ?
Y
People

7. Material:
The Materials category groups Root Causes related to parts,
supplies, forms or information needed to execute a process:
Examples of questions to ask:
 Are bills of material current?
 Are parts or supplies obsolete?
 Are there defects in the materials?
Y
Measurement
Equipment:
The Equipment category groups Root Causes related to tools
used in the process:
Examples of questions to ask:
 Have machines been serviced recently, what is the uptime?
 Have tools been properly maintained?
 Is there variation?
Y
Equipment

8. Environment (Mother Nature):
The Environment(Mother Nature) category groups Root Causes related to
our work environment, market conditions and regulatory issues.
Examples of questions to ask:
 Is the workplace safe and comfortable?
 Are outside regulations impacting the business?
 Does the company culture aid the process?
Y
Environment

9. Measurement
Measurement Equipment's Environment
Method
People (Men)
CAUSE EFFECT
The
PROBLEM
Primary
Cause
Secondary
Cause
Categories
The Y
The X
(Cause)

10. With that in mind, here are 3 key areas where fishbone
diagrams are commonly used.
3 key
Fish Born
Diagram
Manufacturing
a Product
Providing a
Service
Marketing or
Product
Marketing

11. 1. Manufacturing a product:
This usually includes analyzing the 6 (or 8) M-
factors involved in most production processes (Machinery,
Method, Materials, Measurement, Mother Nature, Manpower,
Management, Maintenance).

12. 2. Providing a Service:
Discover the root cause of a service issues by
brainstorming and ranking the likelihood and impact of
all the areas that influence the service delivery process.

13. 3. Marketing or Product Marketing:
Explore the potential causes that might be hindering
your product’s success in the marketplace by exploring
all the areas that influence the adoption of your
products.

14. Thank
You