A problem-solving tool used to establish relationships between effects and multiple causes.

aka Fishbone Diagram or Ishikawa Diagram - (1) A diagram designed to help workers focus on the causes of a problem rather than the symptoms. (2) Tool for analyzing process dispersion.

a visual tool used to logically organize possible causes for a specific problem or effect by graphically displaying them in increasing detail

A diagram that looks like a fish's skeleton and so is also called a fishbone diagram. It was developed by Kaoru Ishikawa, so it is also called an Ishikawa diagram. It shows the main causes and effects of a process. The main bones are manpower, methods, materials, and machinery.

A problem-solving tool that uses a graphic description of the various process elements to analyze potential sources of variation, or problems. [Same as Fishbone Diagram, or Ishikawa Diagram

A tool for analyzing process dispersion. It is also referred to as the "Ishikawa diagram," because Kaoru Ishikawa developed it, and the "fishbone diagram," because the complete diagram resembles a fish skeleton. The diagram illustrates the main causes and subcauses leading to an effect (symptom). The cause and effect diagram is one of the "seven tools of quality." (See listing).

It is an analysis tool that provides a systematic way of looking at effects and the causes that create or contribute to those effects. It is called Cause and Effect diagram because of its function, Fishbone diagram because of its shape and Ishikawa diagram because it was introduce by Kauro Ishikawa of Japan. See Fishbone Diagram.

A graphic technique for summarizing the results of a brainstorming session, identifying the causes of a specified undesirable outcome.