Fishbone Analysis

Ask 5 Whys to Get to the Root Cause

How to Analyze Root Causes Using an Ishikawa Diagram:

1. Define the Problem Statement. Your problem statement comes from the big bar on your Pareto chart.
   Put it in the head of the fish and put major causes at the end of the major bones. Major causes might include:
   • Processes, machines, materials, measurement, people, environment
   • Steps of a process (step 1, step 2, etc.)
   • Whatever makes sense
   
   
   
2. Ask 5 Whys. Begin with the most likely main cause and for each cause, ask "5 Whys."
   
   
3. Find the Root Cause(s): Circle one-to-five ROOT causes (at the end of the "5 whys" chain.)
4. Verify your logic by reversing your 5 Whys questions.
   
   

Automated Fishbone Template for Excel

Getting from the Five Why's to a fishbone diagram can be time consuming.

That's why we created QI Macros Automated Fishbone Template. Just type in your 5 Why's and then click on the Create Fishbone button.

QI Macros will create a fishbone diagram in seconds.

Learn More...

• Automated Ishikawa Diagram Template in Excel
• Types of Fishbone Diagrams
• Cause Effect Matrix Template

Why Choose QI Macros Over Other Six Sigma Software?