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Using Fishbone Diagrams for Problem Solving

Problems are obstacles and challenges that one should overcome to reach the goal. They are an inseparable part of any business, and the success of an enterprise often depends on ability to solve all problems effectively. The process of problem solving often uses rational approach, helping to find a suitable solution. Using Fishbone Diagrams for Problem Solving is a productive and illustrative tool to identify the most important factors causing the trouble. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM extended with Fishbone Diagrams solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is a powerful tool for problem solving with Fishbone Ishikawa diagram graphic method.

Fishbone Diagram Problem Solving

The Ishikawa diagram, Cause and Effect diagram, Fishbone diagram — all they are the names of one and the same visual method for working with causal connections. Originally invented by Kaoru Ishikawa to control the process quality, the Ishikawa diagram is well proven in other fields of management and personal scheduling, events planning, time management. It is a chart in the form of a fish, whose head is a problem, the fins are variants for its causes. To design easily the Fishbone diagram, you can use a special ConceptDraw DIAGRAM ector graphic and diagramming software which contains the powerful tools for Fishbone diagram problem solving offered by Fishbone Diagrams solution for the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

How Do Fishbone Diagrams Solve Manufacturing Problems

How Do Fishbone Diagrams Solve Manufacturing Problems
How do Fishbone diagrams solve manufacturing problems? Fishbone diagrams are successfully used in various fields of industries and manufacturing to analyze the set of possible causes and their effects. Fishbone diagram provides a process to clearly define the “Effect” and then puts you to thinking about the possible causes, based on the categories of common problems in manufacturing. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM application extended with Fishbone Diagrams solution lets you construct Fishbone diagrams and represent globally recognized standards for manufacturing 6 Ms and 8 Ms.
This example was created on the base of the figure from the website of the Iowa State University Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
"Fishbone.
What: The fishbone technique uses a visual organizer to identify the possible causes of a problem.
Benefits: This technique discourages partial or premature solutions and demonstrates the relative importance of, and interactions between, different parts of a problem.
How: On a broad sheet of paper, draw a long arrow horizontally across the middle of the page pointing to the right. Label the arrowhead with the title of the issue to be explained. This is the "backbone" of the "fish." Draw "spurs" from this "backbone" at about 45 degrees, one for every likely cause of the problem that the group can think of; and label each. Sub-spurs can represent subsidiary causes. The group considers each spur/ sub-spur, taking the simplest first, partly for clarity but also because a simple explanation may make more complex ones unnecessary. Ideally, the fishbone is redrawn so that position along the backbone reflects the relative importance of the different parts of the problem, with the most important at the head." [celt.iastate.edu/ creativity/ techniques.html]
The fishbone diagram example "Inability to meet project deadlines" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Fishbone Diagrams solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
Ishikawa diagram
Ishikawa diagram, reason, secondary cause, effect, cause,
Used Solutions

Fishbone Diagram Procedure

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software enhanced with Fishbone Diagrams solution from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park gives the ability to draw Fishbone diagram, which identifies many possible causes for an effect for problem solving. Fishbone Diagram procedure of creation includes the set of steps easy for execution in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM.
HelpDesk

How to Create a Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram Quickly

How to Create a Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram Quickly
A Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram is also called cause-and-effect diagram. Fishbone diagram is often used in business to determine the cause of some problem. The diagram illustrates the main causes and sub-causes leading to an event. The main goal of the Fishbone diagram is to illustrate in a graphical way the relationship between a given outcome and all the factors that influence this outcome. The complete diagram resembles a fish skeleton as its name implies. The ability to create a Fishbone Diagram is supported by the Fishbone Diagram solution. Use ConceptDraw MINDMAP for structuring data and then ConceptDraw DIAGRAM for generating a Fishbone Diagram from mind map structure.

Use a Fishbone Diagram to Attack Complex Problems

Any project is a complex system which rarely goes without some problems, even the most minor. But the success of the project mostly depends from the ability effectively solve appearing problems. There are many methods for problem solving, one of the most effective is the use a Fishbone diagram to attack complex problems. Use ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming software with Fishbone Diagrams Solution to attack any complex problems with fishbone diagrams graphic method. Construct Fishbone diagram to help users brainstorm and break down a complex problem.

Improving Problem Solving and Focus with Fishbone Diagrams

When you need to focus on the problem, professional diagramming tool helps you create a Fishbone diagram also known as Ishikawa diagram. Understanding of the problem via Fishbone diagram will improve the processes between departments and teams. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM extended with Fishbone Diagrams solution gives a powerful tool for improving problem solving and focus with Fishbone diagrams.

When To Use a Fishbone Diagram

Fishbone diagrams work for most entrepreneurs and almost any industry or person having a problem. Professional diagramming software may help you create Fishbone (Cause and Effect or Ishikawa) diagrams. When people are unclear about what is causing an issue, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM will be your lifesaver. When to use a Fishbone diagram? Originally developed as a quality control tool, you may find a Fishbone diagram helpful when used in many cases, such as to analyze a complex problem when there are many causes, for identifying all possible root causes for an effect or a problem, when you need different point of view to look on a problem, to uncover bottlenecks and identify where and why a process doesn't work, for acceleration a process when traditional ways of problem solving consume many time.

Draw Fishbone Diagram on MAC Software

The problem solving and decision-making processes are closely linked and crucial for the business and life. There are many tools and techniques for facilitating and improvement these processes, and also enhancement the quality of accepted decisions. One of them is Fisbone Diagram or Cause and Effect diagram. For its construction, you need first define the problem which you need to solve (existing or potential), write it into rectangular and draw to it a horizontal line - a “fish spine”. Then define general types of possible causes like Persons, Materials, Methods, Machinery, Measurements or Environment, and attach them to “spine”. Start brainstorming the possible reasons of failure and connect them to the branches. Professional diagramming ConceptDraw DIAGRAM MAC OSX software offers the Fishbone Diagrams solution which contains templates, samples, and ready Fishbone design objects. Use of them lets effectively identify the possible causes for an effect, realize successfully cause and effect analysis, and instantly draw Fishbone diagram on Mac software.