To identify and solve problems, there are many tools and techniques used for process improvement. one such simple tool is the cause and effect diagram. this is also know as the Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram.
the name fishbone is because the analysis made is in the fish bone shape. Ishikawa is the name of the person, who introduced this. this is a very easy tool, where in the root cause of the problem is analysed along with its effect.
this is so simple to use, workers participating in the quality circles to identify and improve their process, use this tool. this is a very useful way of mapping the inputs that effects the performance. this is a useful technique for opening up thinking in problem solving.
You are familiar with the typical fish bone diagram.
look at the horizontal line, which is the centre of the bone.
The effect or problem being investigated to be shown at the end of the horizontal line / arrow.
you will identify potential causes, which are to be shown as labeled arrows entering the main cause arrow. this will come from top and bottom at an angle to the horizontal line. these causes should address your concern in terms of - Men, machine, Method, Environment.
Each individual arrow for the cause, say - Men - will have other arrows entering in to from both sides, as the principal causes or factors.
You will have two causes say - men & machine entering the horizontal line from upper portion, and other two from bottom.
this completes the fishbone diagram for cause and effect analysis.
Brainstorming can be effectively used to generate the causes and sub-causes.