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Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram Types

There are many ways to use the Ishikawa diagram. You can analyze root causes using the classic format, step-by-step format, or a custom format. An Ishikawa or fishbone diagram always contains:

• The head of the fish (problem statement)
• One or more major "bones" or causes
• A series of smaller "bones" coming off the main bones to show the "Five Whys" used to identify the cause-effects.

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Classic Fishbone Diagram

People, process, machines, materials, and measurement are the major causes.

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Process Ishikawa Diagram

Each step of the process is a major cause.

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Custom Ishikawa Diagram

Use the generic categories but adapt them to your process: service representative, service order, software systems, reference manuals, and access.

The final product might look like this:

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Learn More...

• Fishbone Analysis - Five Whys to Get to the Root Cause
• Automated Fishbone Diagram in Excel
• Love Bug Diagram for Root Cause Analysis

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