Cause-and-Effect Analysis through Asking Why Questions
Introduction to Cause and Effect Diagram
A cause-and-effect diagram is an analysis tool that offers a systematic way of visualizing effects and causes that create or contribute to those effects. It was developed by Japanese Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa in 1943. And it is also referred to as an Ishikawa Diagram or a Fishbone Diagram because of its resemblance to a fishbone.
Benefits of Cause-and-Effect Diagram
A cause-and-effect diagram is useful for identifying and organizing the known or possible causes of quality, or the lack of it. The organized structure provided by the diagram helps team members think in a very systematic and logical way. Some of the benefits of constructing a cause-and-effect diagram are to:
- help decide the root causes of a problem or quality characteristic in a structured approach;
- encourage group participation and utilizes group wisdom;
- use an orderly, easy-to-read format to visualize cause-and-effect relationships;
- indicate possible causes of variation in a process;
- increase knowledge of the process by helping everyone to learn more about the factors at work and how they relate;
- identify areas where data should be collected for further study.
Cause-and-Effect Analysis through Asking Why Questions
Sometimes, it is necessary to identify increasingly more detailed levels of causes and organize them under related causes or categories. You can do this by asking a series of WHY questions.
Q: Why is the environment bad?
A: It's dirty, hot and stuffy and there is no plant and decoration.
Q: Why the business management is not beneficial?
A: The location is remote and not easily accessible. It is hard to attract more customers without promotion.
Q: Why don't the potential customers stay for long?
A: There is no lounge.
Q: Why were the products not attractive?
A: Some are not up to standard or even of poor quality.
Q: Why customers complain about service staff?
A: They lack sense of responsibility, work in low efficiency and have bad attitude.
View the template below which shows how the diagram looks when all the contributing causes that were identified by the series of why questions have been filled in.
Cause and Effect Diagram Software
EdrawMax offers a super-easy way of creating cause and effect diagrams, which helps you to systematically review factors that affect or contribute to a given result. The interface is straightforward and handy, with clearly labeled buttons, an outlook of predefined shapes, and a drawing page that can expand limitlessly. Edraw also provides a rather standard assortment of editing tools for resizing, rotating, grouping, alignment, and distribution. It's the best assistant for your diagram making.
EdrawMax
All-in-One Diagram Software
- Superior file compatibility: Import and export drawings to various file formats, such as Visio
- Cross-platform supported (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web)
Cause and Effect Diagram Examples
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Ultimate Fishbone Diagram Tutorial
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Cause and Effect Diagram Examples
