Fischgrätendiagramm

The FischgrätenDiagramm, commonly known as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is a visual problem-solving tool used to identify potential causes of a specific problem or effect. Developed by Japanese quality control expert Kaoru Ishikawa, this diagram resembles the skeleton of a fish, hence its name. The diagram places the problem or effect at the head of the fish, with a horizontal line extending to the left representing the spine. Major categories of potential causes branch off from this spine like ribs, typically including the 6 Ms: Manpower, Methods, Machines, Materials, Measurements, and Mother Nature. Each category can then be further subdivided into more specific potential causes. Fishbone diagrams are widely used in quality management and continuous improvement processes, particularly in manufacturing and service industries. They help teams structure brainstorming sessions, organize thoughts, and visualize complex relationships between different factors that might contribute to a problem. By systematically exploring all possible causes, teams can develop more effective solutions and prevent recurrence of issues. The collaborative nature of creating these diagrams also promotes team engagement and shared understanding of problems.