When should I use a Fishbone Diagram?

Use a Fishbone Diagram to brainstorm and organize potential root causes of a clearly defined problem before data collection or hypothesis testing.

What categories should I start with?

A common starting set is the 6Ms: Methods, Machines, Materials, Measurement, Manpower, Environment. Customize categories to fit your process or service.

How is a Fishbone Diagram different from 5 Whys?

Fishbone organizes many possible causes across categories at once, while 5 Whys drills down on a single cause-and-effect chain. They can be used together.

Can QI Macros build a Fishbone Diagram automatically in Excel?

Yes. QI Macros provides a Fishbone template. Enter your problem, categories, and causes; the add-in lays out the diagram and allows quick editing.

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Home » Fishbone Diagram

Struggling to Create Fishbone Diagrams in Visio or Excel?

QI Macros Automates Ishikawa "Fishbone" Diagrams. Draw them in seconds

QI Macros installs on Excel's menu

To create a fishbone diagram:

1. Select fishbone on QI Macros menu
2. Enter your text into the template
3. Click "Create Fishbone"

QI Macros does the rest!

Why Does It Matter?

Getting to the right root cause can be a challenge. The wrong root cause results in an incorrect diagnosis leading to incorrect treatment, waste and rework.

Go Deeper: Steps to draw a fishbone diagram in seconds using QI Macros

Input your text into the template

5 whys template

Click Create Fishbone

Your fishbone will appear in seconds

fishbone diagram excel template

QI Macros is a fantastic tool. It allows me to do things that once took 30-60 minutes down to 2-3 minutes. It's also very user-friendly and easy to operate.

- Wade Johnson, Carlson Craft Business Solutions

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Larger View of the Fishbone Diagram that QI Macros Creates

fishbone diagram in Excel

NOTE: If you end up with too many bones, you may be doing a "Whalebone" diagram.

This means that the problem wasn't divided enough using Pareto charts, and it is recommended to re-evaluate and narrow your focus. Once you have done so, use the Outline Medium/Fishbone Medium to perform your Root Cause Analysis.

Updating and Sharing Your Fishbone is Just as Easy!

To revise the Fishbone: go back to the input tab and update your text, then click "Create Fishbone" again.

To copy and share your fishbone to PowerPoint or Word: Click on the "Copy" button, then paste the fishbone diagram as either a picture or drawing object. Pictures are static. Drawing objects can be revised.

To check the logic in your fishbone, click on the Check 5 Whys Logic button.

automated fishbone buttons

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Watch this video for a more detailed demo of the automated fishbone diagram

1:37

Beautiful, we love the program. It's exactly what we were looking for. Thank you.

- Debra Shank, Georgetown Memorial Hospital

Small Fishbone Diagram

If you open the Fishbone Diagram template and select the "Fishbone Small" tab:

Image of Small Fishbone Template Tab

You will need to update the diagram manually, as this Fishbone Diagram is NOT automated - only the "Outline Medium" and "Outline Large" Fishbone Diagrams are automated:

Image of Small Fishbone Diagram