[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-657422-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":80,"doc-detail-657422-en":130},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":73,"head_meta":75,"extra_data":77,"updated_unix":79},105,"en","fishbone-diagramming-a-guide-to-root-cause-analysis","Fishbone Diagramming - A Guide to Root Cause Analysis","","This document provides a comprehensive overview of fishbone diagramming, also known as Ishikawa or Cause and Effect diagrams. It details the purpose of this visual tool in the 'Analyze' phase of Lean Six Sigma's DMAIC methodology, which focuses on identifying and visualizing the root causes of a problem rather than addressing superficial symptoms. The guide outlines the step-by-step process for creating these diagrams, from identifying problem statements to developing effective action plans. Additionally, it defines various types of fishbone diagrams, including Simple, 4S, 6M, and 8P models, tailored to different industries such as manufacturing, service, and administration. By identifying potential bottlenecks and weaknesses, this tool enables organizations to implement targeted, evidence-based improvements to their processes, ensuring long-term operational excellence and continuous improvement across diverse functional environments.",{"@graph":14,"@context":72},[15,34,55],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/","Research & Report",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/fishbone-diagramming-a-guide-to-root-cause-analysis/657422/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/fishbone-diagramming-a-guide-to-root-cause-analysis/657422.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"hdkawk","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-10-26",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":30},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",{"@type":56,"mainEntity":57},"FAQPage",[58,64,68],{"name":59,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":61},"What is a fishbone diagram used for?","Question",{"text":62,"@type":63},"A fishbone diagram is a visual tool used to identify, explore, and visualize all the root causes of a problem, helping teams move beyond obvious or surface-level issues.","Answer",{"name":65,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":66},"What are the main steps to create a fishbone diagram?",{"text":67,"@type":63},"The process involves identifying the problem statement, classifying main categories, brainstorming root causes, voting on the top causes, and creating an action plan.",{"name":69,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":70},"When is the 6M Fishbone typically used?",{"text":71,"@type":63},"The 6M Fishbone, which categorizes causes into machines, materials, manpower, mother nature, measurements, and methods, is commonly used in the manufacturing industry.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":74,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":76,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":78,"site_id":7},657422,1792978776,{"code":4,"msg":81,"data":82},"success",[83,87,91,95,100,105,110,114,119,122,126],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":84,"show_sort_weight":85,"slug":86},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":88,"show_sort_weight":89,"slug":90},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":92,"show_sort_weight":93,"slug":94},"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":96,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":101,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":102,"show_sort_weight":103,"slug":104},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":106,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":107,"show_sort_weight":108,"slug":109},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":111,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":112,"slug":113},8,30,"research-report",{"id":115,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":116,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":118},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":117,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":121},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":123,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":124,"show_sort_weight":123,"slug":125},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":127,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":128,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":129},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":81,"data":131},{"doc_id":78,"user_id":132,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":111,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":30,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":22,"language":139,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":79,"read_time":30},3985747859855,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_276721f389ce27ea32af1340a28f341c","Fishbone Diagramming  \nA fishbone diagram is a visual tool used to identify, explore and visualize all the root causes, not just the most obvious or surface level ones, related to a problem. It is used in the ‘Analyze’ phase of Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC approach to problem solving.  \nThey are called fishbone diagrams because of their unique shape – when complete, they resemble a fish skeleton. They are also called Cause and Effect Diagrams or Ishikawa Diagrams.  \nHow to Create a Fishbone Diagram  \n1. Identify the problem statement (head of the fish) (Effect)  \n2. Classify the main  \ncategories (bones of the fish) (Options)  \n3. Brainstorm the root causes (smaller bones of the fish) (Causes)  \n4. Vote on the top root causes of the problem  \n5. Create an action plan to solve the problem at the root  \n| Types of Fishbone Diagram |  |\n| --- | --- |\n| The Simple Fishbone | • Does not have pre-defined categories, allowing the team to use whatever categories make the most sense for their problem\u003Cbr>• Can be used in any industry |\n| The 4S Fishbone | • The four “bones” branching off the spine are designated as systems, surrounding, skills and suppliers\u003Cbr>• Commonly used in the service industry (i.e. poor customer feedback) |\n| The 6M Fishbone | • The six “bones” are designated as machines, materials, manpower, mother nature, measurements and methods\u003Cbr>• Commonly used in the manufacturing industry |\n| The 8P Fishbone | • The eight “bones” are designated as physical evidence, personnel, place, product (service), price, promotion, process and productivity/quality\u003Cbr>• Commonly used in the service industry, manufacturing and administrative functions |\n\nWhen to use a fishbone diagram:  \n• To identify the possible causes of a problem  \n• To reveal bottlenecks or areas or weakness in a process","cbCaienCBMk3GkGX","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaienCBMk3GkGX","pdf",202235,"English","# How to Create a Fishbone Diagram\n# Types of Fishbone Diagram\n## The Simple Fishbone\n## The 4S Fishbone\n## The 6M Fishbone\n## The 8P Fishbone\n# When to Use a Fishbone Diagram","[{\"question\":\"What is a fishbone diagram used for?\",\"answer\":\"A fishbone diagram is a visual tool used to identify, explore, and visualize all the root causes of a problem, helping teams move beyond obvious or surface-level issues.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the main steps to create a fishbone diagram?\",\"answer\":\"The process involves identifying the problem statement, classifying main categories, brainstorming root causes, voting on the top causes, and creating an action plan.\"},{\"question\":\"When is the 6M Fishbone typically used?\",\"answer\":\"The 6M Fishbone, which categorizes causes into machines, materials, manpower, mother nature, measurements, and methods, is commonly used in the manufacturing industry.\"}]","Fishbone Diagramming - A Guide to Root Cause Analysis | PDF"]