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Fishbone: Cause-Effect Diagram

Draw a "fish skeleton" of the problem: head = issue, bones = cause categories.

40 min Intermediate

Goal

Move past single-cause 5-Whys to a multi-cause view for complex issues.

Steps

1

Write the problem at the fish's "head" on whiteboard.

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Expected Outcome

Immediate

You surface 2-3 causes from categories you didn't consider.

Evidence base

School: Quality Management

Founders: Kaoru Ishikawa (1968)

Ishikawa — father of Japanese quality, developed cause-effect diagram at Kawasaki Shipyards (1968); one of the 7 Quality Tools.

Frequently asked questions

How long does "Fishbone: Cause-Effect Diagram" take?

This exercise takes about 40 minutes, practiced in a group in a Creative format.

When will I notice the effect of "Fishbone: Cause-Effect Diagram"?

You surface 2-3 causes from categories you didn't consider. In the short term: In a month, your solution hits 2 bones, not 1 — holistic fix.

Is "Fishbone: Cause-Effect Diagram" evidence-based?

Yes — it draws on Quality Management (Kaoru Ishikawa (1968)). Ishikawa — father of Japanese quality, developed cause-effect diagram at Kawasaki Shipyards (1968); one of the 7 Quality Tools.

Is "Fishbone: Cause-Effect Diagram" suitable for beginners?

Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.

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