This PowerPoint explains how to develop an Ishikawa Fishbone-Cause and Effect Analysis diagram. It is part of the American Meridian University Series on Quality Systems Management Tools

1. American Meridian University
Understanding a Fishbone – Cause and Effect Diagram
Part of The American Meridian University Series On Quality Systems Management Tools
Professor Sharon L. Burton, Director of Publishing Initiatives, American Meridian University
and
Dr. Bob Gee, Founder, American Meridian University

2. Learning Objectives
At the end of this video users should be able to:
• Articulate the usage of a Fishbone - Cause and Effect Diagram
• Explain how to develop a Cause and Effect Diagram
• Demonstrate the development of a Cause and Effect Diagram
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3. What is a Fishbone – Cause and Effect Diagram?
Fishbone – Cause and Effect Diagram:
• Is a causal diagram created by Kaoru Ishikawa (1968) that
illustrate the reasons/causes of a particular event
• Helps the user review the larger picture through analyzing all
forces influencing the change and weighing the driving forces
(positives) and restraining forces (negatives) for planned change
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4. What is the Value of a Cause and Effect
Diagram?
Through understanding the causes and the effect,
fishbone analysis visually communicate the issues
impacting a particular concern.
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Effect
Causes
4

5. What is the Value of a Cause and Effect
Diagram Analysis?
By understanding the cause and effect analysis, users can:
• Study an issue/concern to ascertain a root cause
• Investigate and analyze all possible reasons a process may have
glitches, setbacks, and breakdowns
• Identify topics for data collection
• Determine the reason a process is not performing properly
• Ascertain the reason a process is not producing the desired result
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6. Creation Time to Allot for the Cause and Effect
Diagram
From Start to Finish Allow 5 hours:
• Data Collection: 1-3 hours
• Diagramming the Fishbone: 1 hour
• Walking through Fishbone with Stakeholders: 1 hour
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7. How to Develop a Fishbone Diagram?
• Include key stakeholders and documents (i.e., surveys, customer letters, etc.)
• Determine idea-generating tactics to gather information/data (i.e.,
brainstorming, data mapping, etc.)
• Ask questions such as: For each factor, what are the issues, processes, services,
that are affecting customer service? What is happening with each factor/cause?
• Learn the sub-factors and document them
• Highlight items that appear in more than one cause
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8. How to Develop a Cause and Effect Diagram?
Effect
Causes
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2. Spines
1. Head
3. Causes
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9. How to Develop a Cause and Effect Diagram?
Low Customer
Satisfaction
Process
Inconsistency
Low Enrollment/
Low Sales
Delay in Servicing Inequity
Students’ Needs
System
Reliability
Decreased
Customer Lifetime
Value
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1. Document the Effect
2. Document the Causes
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10. How to Develop a Cause and Effect Diagram?
© American Meridian University, 06/02/2014 www.amu-edu.com
Low Customer
Satisfaction
Low Enrollment/
Low Sales
System
Reliability
Process
Inconsistency
Delay in Servicing Inequity
Students’ Needs
Decreased
Customer Lifetime
Value
Sub-causes
10

11. Bibliography
Arvanitoyannis, I. S., & Varzakas, T. H. (2007). A conjoint study of quantitative and
semi-quantitative assessment of failure in a strudel manufacturing plant by means
of FMEA and HACCP, Cause and Effect and Pareto diagram. International Journal
Of Food Science & Technology, 42(10), 1156-1176. doi:10.1111/j.1365-
2621.2006.01301.x
Clary, R., & Wandersee, J. (2010). Fishbone diagrams: Organize reading content with a
"Bare Bones" strategy. Science Scope, 33(9), 31-37.
Desai, M. S., & Johnson, R. A. (2013). Using a fishbone diagram to develop change
management strategies to achieve first-year student persistence. SAM Advanced
Management Journal (07497075), 78(2), 51-63.
Li, S., & Lee, L. (2011). Using fishbone analysis to improve the quality of proposals for
science and technology programs. Research Evaluation, 20(4), 275-282.
doi:10.3152/095820211X13176484436050
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12. Visit American Meridian University
Thank you for reviewing this educational material.
American Meridian University
http://www.amu-edu.com/
We welcome your questions and comments.
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