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Cause and Effect/ Fishbone Diagram

Why use it?

To allow a team to identify, explore, and graphically display, in increasing detail, all the possible causes related to a particular effect you want to display. The major categories of causes contributing to the effect are assigned to the major branches of the diagram. Gather the "experts" then brainstorm all of the possible causes of that effect.

Using a fishbone chart ( a fishbone represents only opinion. Opinion must be verified with facts before action to change is taken).

• Appoint a leader and scribe. Free flow of ideas and minimum of rules. Use sticky notes to get things up and then can rearrange.

• Remember only causes not solutions.

• Rank the causes for further study.

• Gather more facts based on the priorities.

Understandable Conclusions.

Make it clear how conclusions were reached and verified. This means that graphs should illustrate only one concept