Cause and Effect Diagram (Fishbone)What Represents the relationship between an effect (problem) and its potential causes.How Name the problem. Decide the major categories for causes. Major causes may include: data and information systems, dollars, environment, hardware, materials, measurements, method, people, training, etc. Brainstorm for more detailed causes. Ask "why" each major cause happens at least 5 times. Eliminate causes that do not apply. Discuss the causes and decide which are most important. Work on most important root causes. Perform another iteration for root causes, if necessary.
Why Sort and relate the factors affecting a process while little quantifiable data is available. Discussion guide to assist in determining root causes. To determine the real cause to the problem versus a symptom. To identify a team's level of understanding.