What does the "fishbone diagram" help to identify?

The fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, is a visual tool specifically designed to identify and analyze the various causes of a specific problem or effect. This method is particularly useful in quality improvement processes as it helps teams systematically explore all potential factors contributing to an issue, categorizing them into different causes such as people, processes, materials, and environment. By visualizing the relationship between causes and the main problem, teams can prioritize areas to address and develop targeted solutions.

In contrast, while identifying contributors to financial loss may be a result of this analysis, it is not the primary purpose of the fishbone diagram. It does not focus on outlining the specific steps in a service delivery process, nor does it measure baseline performance metrics of a project. The primary strength of the fishbone diagram lies in its capacity to uncover and display a comprehensive range of potential causes to foster deeper understanding and facilitate effective problem-solving.