What information is presented in a fishbone diagram?

A fishbone diagram, also known as an Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, is primarily used to identify and organize the potential causes of a specific problem or effect. This tool is visually represented like a fish's skeleton, with a central "spine" representing the main problem and "bones" branching out to display various categories of potential causes. This categorization helps teams systematically analyze factors that contribute to a problem, making it easier to identify root causes and facilitating effective problem-solving.

The focus on grouping causes by categories allows for a comprehensive exploration of various aspects, including people, processes, materials, equipment, and environment, which are critical in areas such as quality management and process improvement. By effectively utilizing this method, teams can better pinpoint underlying issues rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.