Ishikawa diagram

Building a "fish skeleton" is done in several stages.

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1. Identifying the target problem, the situation that needs to be analyzed
2. .
4. Selecting the categories into which the causes are divided.
5. Examples of such categories are people, equipment, materials, methods, environment, management and activities that can have a direct impact on the final result.
6. Brainstorming to identify all possible causes, their subsequent recording, visualization
7. .
9. Linking the causes to each other to show their interrelationship, identifying the roots of the problem.
10. Working with the obtained data to identify priority areas of the
11. problem.

Let us consider what the principle of construction is based on. It is believed that a problem can arise on the basis of several closely interrelated causes. When drawing a "fish skeleton", the following aspects should be taken into account:

• the need to define the target problem precisely, not to deviate from it when identifying possible causes;
• analyze all possible causes thoroughly, even if at first they seem unimportant;
• make logically sound connections between the found causes.

Adhere to a certain sequence in the construction.

1. Start by drawing the main problem in the center.
2. This could be a problem, a difficulty that needs to be resolved.
3. Identify key factors that could be the root cause of the problem.
4. These are placed as lines or arms emanating from the main problem, resembling the bones of a fish.
5. Identify the secondary factors that can exacerbate the root causes of the problem. These are placed on the lines connecting the primary factors.

The method is considered analytical because it helps to analyze complex problems or situations and identify and classify the key factors that affect the outcome. The final step is to develop a strategy to eliminate the negative aspects. The main advantage of the scheme is the ability to examine the existing problem in detail from different angles, eventually finding the optimal solution.

Typical mistakes

No process is without mistakes: here are typical inaccuracies that can occur when constructing an Ishikawa diagram.

1. Incorrect definition of the basic, most
2. important
3. , target problem - this leads to errors in identifying causes.
4. Insufficient number of brainstorming participants, which causes the omission of important
5. root causes
6. that led to the existing results.
7. Incorrect categorization of causes, which makes analysis difficult, creating confusion
8. .
10. Insufficient explanation of the connection between root causes, which makes it impossible to understand the root causes of the problem.

It is also worth emphasizing the objectivity of the analysis and the lack of consistency of factors that negatively affect the outcome.

Tools for building an Ishikawa diagram

To construct an Ishikawa diagram, you will need a list of tools.

1. Prepare a white board or large sheet of paper in advance to draw the diagram.
2. You will need markers of different colors to highlight different categories and causes.
3. You will also need brainstorming participants who will work on identifying root causes and their connections.

However, in today's world, you can use technology - the personal computer. There are variation programs that will help to effectively depict the "fishbone" - e.g. MS World, X-Mind, Microsoft Paint.

It is recommended to pay attention to online services: Canva, MindMeister, Lucidchart, Creately. The listed programs provide an excellent opportunity to create professional schemes quickly and easily.

Let's turn to brainstorming to understand: why it helps to find the source of the problem.

1. Varying viewpoints.
2. Experts with different backgrounds and expertise should be invited, allowing you to look at the situation from different angles.
3. Generating new ideas.
4. Creative thinking of people is the first step to finding unconventional solutions.
5. Collective reflection: group discussion helps to identify hidden causes and interconnections.
6. Synergy.
7. The joint efforts of participants can lead to the discovery of non-obvious factors indirectly affecting the problem.
8. Objectivity
9. .
10. The participation of multiple people avoids subjectivism and bias.

Categories of people who can participate in brainstorming include representatives of different departments of the company, specialists in a particular field. It is important to ensure that there are both experts and people with practical experience and different points of view.

For an effective brainstorming session, it is recommended to:

• define goals and objectives in advance;
• create an atmosphere of openness and support for the participants' ideas;
• use various techniques to stimulate thinking - for example, conducting exercises, special games;
• write down all ideas on a blackboard or a sheet of paper;
• define a timeline and action plan for each of the identified factors;
• stimulate discussion and dialog;
• use analytical tools to assess the importance of the impact of each factor;
• bring participants together to find a common solution.

For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to use no more than 5-7 basic factors when constructing an Ishikawa diagram. This approach allows you to focus on the main root causes, avoiding unnecessary complexity. The resulting action plan should be specific, measurable and realistic, and provide for those responsible for each step.

Example of an Ishikawa diagram

Let's look at an example. Let's assume that the goal of the Ishikawa diagram is to reduce the number of equipment failures. Let's distinguish the following categories of causes: technology, processes, the equipment itself, and personnel training. Examples of causes are as follows:

• insufficient training of personnel in new technologies;
• inefficient production processes;
• poor condition of equipment;
• uneven distribution of workload.

An example of using the method in education could be as follows. A teacher applies the method to analyze in detail the failing results of students in an exam. With the help of Ishikawa diagram, it is easy to identify the basic causes of failure:

• insufficient preparation;
• unclear instructions for the task;
• lack of motivation.

Subsequently, a strategy can be developed to improve the learning process.

In business, fishbone is used to examine the root causes of failures, problems, defects in the production process. Managers are so able to identify and eliminate the causes of unacceptably high product defect rates.

The use of the scheme has both pros and cons. Among the pros are the following:

• a chance to identify the causes of the problem;
• improved communication in the team;
• the possibility of a quick and effective solution.

Minuses - the process is rather long, and it is also necessary to possess the skills of careful, meticulous analysis. With all of the above, there is a risk of getting an inaccurate result.

However, the Ishikawa diagram remains relevant and effective in the modern world. It allows you to qualitatively structure and analyze complex problems, identify and eliminate the root causes of their occurrence, and make decisions more thoughtfully.