Ishikawa Method

Ishikawa diagrams were popularized by Kaoru Ishikawa in the 1960s, who pioneered
quality management processes in the Kawasaki shipyards, and in the process became one
of the founding fathers of modern management. The basic concept was first used in the
1920s, and is considered one of the seven basic tools of quality control.
It is known as a fishbone diagram because of its shape, similar to the side view of a fish
skeleton. The Ishikawa Diagram also called cause-and-effect diagram, is a tool that helps
to identify the causes of a problem. One has an overall view of the causes that generate
the problem with a structured representation of all the causes that produce the effect.
There is a relation between all the causes and one is able to identify the root causes of a
problem.
The Ishikawa diagram, (or fishbone diagram, cause and effect diagram or 5M) reduces
the risk to forget some causes and provides input for the study of solutions. This method
makes it possible to tackle the causes, to correct defects and provide solutions by
employing corrective actions.
Causes are usually grouped into major categories to identify these sources of variation.
The categories typically include :
i)

The 5 M's (used in manufacturing industry)

Machine (technology)

Method (process)

Material (Includes Raw Material, Consumables and Information.)

Man Power (physical work)/Mind Power (brain work):

Measurement (Inspection)

The original 5 Ms used by the Toyota Production System have been expanded by some to
include the following and are referred to as the 8 Ms. However, this is not globally
recognized. It has been suggested to return to the roots of the tools and to keep the
teaching simple while recognizing the original intent; most programs do not address the
8Ms.

Milieu/Mother Nature(Environment)

Management/Money Power

Maintenance

ii) The 7 P's (used in marketing industry)

Product/Service

Price

Place

Promotion

People/personnel

Process

Physical Evidence

The 7 P's are primarily used in service marketing.

iii) The 5 Ss (used in service industry)

Surroundings

Suppliers

Systems

Skills

Safety

When to use a FishBone Diagram

i)

when identify possible causes for problem

ii) especially when a team's thinking tends to fall into ruts

Golden rules for Ishikawa Method

i) Working group
Before one begins, one has to form a multidisciplinary working group and every
member has to participate.
ii) Brainstorming
It is recommended to do a brainstorming session to find all the causes of the
problem. So each member can freely express their opinion.
iii) Approach

Thereafter it is necessary to find the causes responsible for the problem and to classify
these causes according to their relation with the problem.
Structure of Ishikawa diagram
Step 1: Clearly define the problem
Draw a horizontal arrow pointing at the problem.
Step 2: Sorting the causes in big families
Material
raw material, quality, supply, pieces, ...
Machine
machinery, tools, equipment, maintenance, ... identifies the causes that originate from
technical support and used products.
Man power
direct, indirect, motivation, training, absenteeism, experience, competence problems, ....
Milieu (environment)
physical environment, light, noise, dust, location, layout, temperature, legislation, ....
Method
instructions, manuals, procedures, used modus operandi, ....
One can add two additional criteria to the 5M (Management and financial
means) to get the 7M.
Step 3: Secondary arrows
These secondary arrows correspond to the number of identified family causes. They must
be connected to the horizontal arrow. Each arrow identifies one of the potential family
causes.
Step 4: Mini arrows
The causes associated to one of the families are inscribed on the mini arrows. One needs
all potential causes.
Step 5: Finalization
One must seek the real root of the problem among the potential causes. One has to act
and correct by proposing solutions

Example of Ishikawa Diagram

Advantages

disadvantages

Different opinions by teamwork

No clarity in very complex

Easy to apply

Interactions and chronological dependence

can't be displayed

Little effort to practice

Better understanding for causes and effect

Reference
Ishikawa diagram. (online)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishikawa_diagram

Fish bone. Ishikawa diagram (online) http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/cause-analysistools/overview/fishbone.html

Henner Graubitz (2006) . Ishikawa Diagram (online)
https://gc21.giz.de/ibt/en/opt/site/ilt/ibt/regionalportale/sadc/downloads/ishikawa_dia
gram.pdf
Tague, Nancy R. (2004). "Seven Basic Quality Tools". The Quality Toolbox. Milwaukee,

Wisconsin: American Society for Quality. p. 15. Retrieved 2010-02-05