In manufacturing, the categories are often methods, machine, materials, and measurements. The causes, those “bones” coming out from the spine, can be organized into categories. Start with the backbone (problem), with the right side being the head (effect), and ribs poking out along the spine (causes).

Creating a Cause and Effect Diagramįor a PMP credential holder, cause and effect diagrams are made easier when keeping a fishbone shape in mind. The key point to know is Ishikawa created the fishbone diagram tool to prompt teams to “ consider all possible causes of a problem, instead of focusing on the obvious one.” A team that quickly acts without knowing the cause of the problem or the effect of changes will suffer more negative outcomes than the team that seeks to enhance their understanding. Any of these terms may appear in the context of PMP exam or in formal settings where project management tools and techniques are employed. The name “Herringbone” diagram also stems from the fishbone appearance of the completed graphic, whereas the term “Fishikawa” is a combination of the shape of the image and the name of the creator, Ishikawa. The name “fishbone” is inspired by the graphic nature of the quality tool for cause and effect: the final image resembles that of a fish skeleton. Something is Fishy: Fishbone Diagrams for Project ManagementĬause and Effect diagram questions on the PMP exam assume test takers know the different names for Ishikawa’s quality tool, including: Complex problems rarely have a single mitigation solution the cause and effect diagram is a graphic representation of the complexity so it is possible to manage it.

” Not only are the different causes identified, but the corrective actions needed for each are brought forward. One reason the Cause and Effect diagram is such a powerful tool is that it enables a process of “ determining and exhausting the different underlying causes of a particular problem so that the appropriate corrective measures are delivered.

Developed in 1960 by Japanese professor Kaoru Ishikawa, the tool helps a team find the root cause of a problem using probing questions and a diagraming technique. It is used in the Project Quality Management process, found in the Sixth Edition of the PMBOK® Guide. The Project Management Institute® (PMI)’s description of the Cause and Effect diagram is found in the 6 th edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge ( PMBOK ® Guide):Ī cause and effect diagram for the Project Management Professional® (PMP) certification holder is one of the Seven Quality Tools used for data collection and analysis.

Ishikawa diagram project management