The Fishbone: A How To

Factory Edition

Created by Tom Curtis 2011Blog: www.onimproving.blogspot.comOther presentation on www.slideshare.netUnder Onimproving  Email: ideamerchants@gmail.comFollow me on Twitter @onimproving

IntroductionA fishbone diagram helps us look at Causes and Effect. For an effect, we look at multiple causes

and place them in categories. This helps us think through what might be driving the effect before we start fixing. It is a good step to help us on the path to identifying root cause and then

design corrective actions. What follows is how to set up a fishbone in steps and an example. The

fishbone can become a great aid in helping think through problems. Give it a try. --Tom Curtis

Steps 1-3Prepare the Fishbone

1

Add the Red Elements

Draw the Lines

2 Add Labels

Causes

Effect

3 Add Bone Labels

Causes

Effect

Measure Mother Nature

Man Machine Method

Material

Steps 4-5Use the Fishbone

4 Record Effect

Causes

Effect

Measure Mother Nature

Man Machine Method

Material

Issue

5 Record Causes by Category

Causes

Effect

Measure Mother Nature

Man Machine Method

Material

Issue

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

CauseCause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

CauseCause

Cause

An Example:Using the Fishbone

Causes

Effect

Measure Mother Nature

Man Machine Method

Material

Machine Jams

Poor Set up

No Clearing StandardNo Recent PM

Poor Clearing Jam Clearingtraining

PoorSet up

Jam Definition

Material over 2 years old

Non conforming

No Recent PM

No Recent PM

Notes: -Causes may fit in more than one category-Causes can be further explored with 5 whys-Not all categories may apply