For which purposes it is used
The fishbone diagram is a cause-and-effect diagram that helps managers to track down the reasons for imperfections, variations, defects, or failures. It can be used to answer the following questions that commonly arise in problem-solving: What are the potential root causes of a problem? What category of process inputs represents the greatest source of variability in the process output? Using this method allows you to visualize and organize potential causes of a problem into a usable framework for solving it.
Using the Ishikawa approach to identifying the root cause(s) of a problem provides several benefits to process improvement teams.The Fishbone Diagram can incorporate metrics but is primarily a visual tool for organizing critical thinking.
- By Involving the workforce in problem resolution the preparation of the fishbone diagram provides education to the whole team.
- Using the Ishikawa method to explore root causes and record them helps organize the discussion to stay focused on the current issues.
- It promotes “System Thinking” through visual linkages.
- It also helps prioritize further analysis and corrective actions.
It can also be used in product development. Most of the VET schools produce some products and they are small manufacturers. Having a problem-solving product will ensure that your new development will be popular – provided people care about the problem you’re trying to solve. The fishbone diagram strives to pinpoint everything that’s wrong with current market offerings so that you can develop an innovation that doesn’t have these problems.
Finally, the fishbone diagram is also a great way to look for and prevent quality problems before they ever arise. Use it to troubleshoot before there is trouble, and you can overcome all or most of your teething troubles when introducing something new.
