How to create a fishbone / Ishikawa diagram online

Has your team ever encountered a problem and can’t figure out what’s the real cause of the problem? It can be really tough to solve a particular problem without first identifying all the possible causes of the problem.

Mr. Kaoru Ishikawa created the Cause and Effect Diagram in 1943 and from then on many have used the Ishikawa diagram also known as the fishbone diagram to:

• Identify and define the root causes of a problem
• See clearly the relationships between the various causes
• Provide a starting point to discuss potential fixes to a problem

In some organizations, whenever they encounter problems, they would quickly attempt to douse the flames only to realize that new fires are started elsewhere.

It’s very important to put all the possible causes on the drawing board in order the see the entire picture of the problem. And one way to do this would be to create a fishbone diagram that can be viewed and used to attempt to solve the problem.

The best way to create a fishbone diagram would be to draw it on a board so that it can be brainstormed and discussed thoroughly before printing and distributing the diagram.

Once the fishbone diagram is finalized, it can be easily drawn out using Powerpoint. But if you do not have Powerpoint, then there’s this online tool called Creately which allows you to create a fishbone diagram online for free.

Creately is an easy-to-use online diagramming application that’s built for collaboration.

To start off with Creately, you’ll need to sign up for an account after which you can easily create a fishbone diagram simply by choosing a template.

Once the Fishbone Diagram Template is selected, you can proceed to edit the effect/problem, categories, and possible causes by clicking on the default text and changing it accordingly.

I’m sure you get the idea of how you can use Creately to easily draw and publish your fishbone diagram. Although you can use Creately online for free, whenever you export the diagram as an image, a small Creately logo will be added on the bottom right of the diagram. If you would like the logo removed, simply upgrade the plan (a small fee).

Another option is Miro’s Fishbone Diagram Template.

The fishbone diagram template on Miro can be used to:

• Brainstorm the causes of a problem (root cause analysis)
• Analyze a problem statement
• Analyze a new design
• Assess ways to improve an existing process
• Ensure quality improvement

The template is divided into four main categories:

• Manpower: This category includes factors related to the people involved in the process, such as skills, training, and motivation.
• Machine: This category includes factors related to the equipment used in the process, such as its condition and maintenance.
• Material: This category includes factors related to the materials used in the process, such as their quality and availability.
• Method: This category includes factors related to the way the process is carried out, such as the procedures and instructions.

The template also includes a space for brainstorming additional causes of the problem.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using the fishbone diagram template:

Pros:

• It is a simple and easy-to-use tool that can be used by people with different levels of experience.
• It helps to visualize the causes of a problem, which can make it easier to identify the root cause.
• It can be used to brainstorm solutions to problems.
• It can be used to improve processes and quality.

Cons:

• It can be time-consuming to create and use.
• It may not be effective for problems with a large number of causes.
• It can be difficult to identify the root cause of a problem if there are many contributing factors.

Here are some of the benefits of using a fishbone diagram:

• It can help to improve communication and collaboration between team members.
• It can help to identify and prioritize problems.
• It can help to develop solutions that are more effective and efficient.
• It can help to prevent problems from recurring.

Overall, the fishbone diagram template is a useful tool that can be used to improve problem-solving and decision-making. However, it is important to note that it is not a magic bullet and should be used in conjunction with other problem-solving techniques.