This free Fishbone Diagram training course provides you with the materials you need to share fishbone diagrams with other team members, customers, and suppliers.
Here are some screenshots from the training file –
Introduction – general format and what the tool is used for.
Overall construction – the problem statement goes at the “head of the fish,” and potential causes are grouped together to make up the “bones.”
This slide shows an actual fishbone diagram example for shorted motor coils, using our Excel template.
There are more arguments against fishbone diagrams than there are in favor of them. The main problem comes from mis-use. Fishbone diagrams are great for organizing team input and generating ideas for possible causes. But Pareto analysis and designed experiments are much more effective in finding top causes.
The next two slides cover tips for successful outcomes. (1) It’s a good idea to use post-it notes first, rather than try to complete the fishbone diagram immediately. The reason for this: we often don’t know what the cause groupings will be until we’ve collected all of the potential cause. (2) These sessions naturally fall into debates around potential causes, and your job as facilitator is to guide the group back on track, reminding them that we are here to gather and document potential causes.
Two additional tips: (1) Implement the quick wins – easy fixes that will make a difference, whether or not they directly impact the problem being discussed. (2) It’s all about taking the right action after the meeting – be sure to use an action item tracker to document the who, what, and when of each action.
You will know when a fishbone diagram is appropriate – usually when there are a lot of voices wanting to be heard around a particular problem. They are also good as a starting point for problem solving when you are completely unfamiliar with the manufacturing or business process.