Fishi-kawa! Ishikawa diagrams! Fishbone diagrams! *

Similar to the practice of concept mapping and brainstorming,

place each "cause" along a line that ends in a box identifying a problem

creating your very own fishbone diagram.

At the beginning brainstorm and identify all the possible causes.

One strategy is to use post-it notes for each cause,

then paste them into your "graph" along the "spine" for a visual representation,

either on a whiteboard, flipchart, or other large surface that can be modified.

If some causes relate to others, you can develop layers connecting and extending out from the first rays. As you develop your diagram, arrange the causes toward the fishhead/problem to indicate importance.

Identify/map all the causes before considering solutions to the problem.

What are examples of causes of the problem?

• People

  • Are there enough participants to help?

  • Are the participants' skills adequate?

  • Are some participants perceived as not helpful?

• Resources

  • Are there enough, for example funding?

  • Are some not identified?

  • Are some not used effectively, or mis-placed?

• Environment

  • Is it conducive to problem solving? Is there too much stress?

  • Is the power structure (administration or line of authority) supportive?

  • Is the power structure (administration or line of authority) aware of the problem?

• Processes, procedures and rules

  • Are they understood, or badly defined?

  • Are they perceived as an obstacle?

• Vocabulary/terminology/concepts

  • Is there an agreed-upon vocabulary, and understanding of their meanings and definitions?

  • Are some "hidden"?

Working with the diagram:

• • Consider all the causes and rank them in importance

  • either on their post-its, or by circles with numbers etc.

  • Examine relationship

  • Drop some causes to secondary levels, or off the chart to indicate irrelevance.

* The Ishikawa Diagram was developed by Kaoru Ishikawa (1968) with applications in manufacturing and later published in "Introduction to Quality Control (1990. It was first used in the 1940s, and is considered one of the seven basic tools of quality control.[4] It is known as a fishbone diagram because of its shape, similar to the side view of a fish skeleton. Mazda Motors used the procedure in the development of the Miata sports car. "Every factor identified in the diagram was included in the final design."