Rather than teaching chefs how to chop seafood or serving as a convenient reference for marine biologists, fishbone diagrams are actually used as a simple problem solving tool. Fishbone diagrams, named for their shape rather than their content, help teams and individuals brainstorm and identify the root causes of a problem. They are useful visuals to include with industry reports, so many frustrated employees ask how to create a fishbone diagram in Word.
Although Microsoft Word is known as one of the premier apps for creating reports and other text-heavy documents, it does not boast the same capability for creating and managing visual content. Read on to learn more about fishbone diagrams as well as the best way to put a fishbone diagram in Word.
Already a fishbone diagram pro? Try our fishbone diagram template for Word.
About fishbone diagrams
In the 1960s, Kaoru Ishikawa started using fishbone diagrams to conduct quality management at Kawasaki shipyards. Ishikawa is considered the creator of fishbone diagrams, which explains their second name, Ishikawa diagrams. Other names include herringbone diagrams, cause-and-effect diagrams, characteristic diagrams, and our favorite, Fishikawa diagrams. Although fishbone diagrams can be used in any industry, they are traditionally associated with product design and quality defect prevention.
How to make a fishbone diagram in Word
Let’s face it. Microsoft Word was not intended for making diagrams. You can try it if you like, but you’ll feel happier, save time, and be more satisfied with your work if you build your diagram with Lucidchart and then insert it into your Word document using our simple, free integration. So to start, sign up for a free account with Lucidchart.
In Lucidchart, creating a fishbone diagram is simple. Just drag and drop shapes and lines onto the canvas. You’ll notice that they snap together so that formatting will take you less time and cause fewer headaches.
To build the fishbone structure, place a box and write an observed effect at the front of the diagram where the fish’s head would go. This should be written as a question, such as “Why does your Ishikawa diagram in Word look terrible?” Draw a line extending away from the question, like the spine of a fish.
Next, draw lines radiating outward from the spine. Label these with categories that will be used for grouping potential causes. Although you can customize categories as needed, there are a number of standard categorizations used in various industries.
Generic: People, Methods, Machines, Materials, Measurements, Environment
The 5 Ms (used in manufacturing): Machine, Method, Material, Manpower, Measurement. A 6th M, Mother Nature, is added in Six Sigma methodology.
The 8 Ps (used in marketing): Product/Service, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, Physical Evidence, Packaging
The 5 Ss (used in service): Surroundings, Suppliers, Systems, Standard documentation skills, Scope of work
Now, by yourself or with a team, brainstorm causes that fall under each category. You can dive deeper and deeper into root causes by continuing to ask the question “Why?” Take a look at the example below.
Under each of the four categories, we have listed a number of related causes. For some of those causes, we have probed further to really get at the heart of the matter. With this fishbone diagram, it’s easy to see that your Ishikawa diagram looks terrible because you didn’t build it in Lucidchart (yes, this is a shameless plug to try Lucidchart). With Lucidchart, even if you’re late to work, your floor is full of jokesters, and your meeting is in ten minutes, you can whip out a professional, polished diagram that will wow your boss and keep your audience engaged.
Can we get a chorus of “That was easy!”?
Inserting your fishbone diagram
To wrap things up, follow these steps to transfer your document from Lucidchart to Microsoft Word.
First, install the Lucidchart add-in for Microsoft by clicking the button below and following the directions.
A sidebar should appear, prompting you to log in to Lucidchart. Once Microsoft Word and Lucidchart have synced, find your fishbone diagram and select “Insert.”
Lucidchart also provides free integrations with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides so you can add diagrams to your web-based documents. Learn more about the integration.
Fishbone diagram template for Word
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to make a fishbone diagram in Word. As you’re getting started, we’ll make it even easier for you. Instead of making your own fishbone diagram from scratch, try using one of our templates.
Download a fish bone diagram template for Excel or print a blank cause and effect diagram.
A Fishbone Diagram is another name for the Ishikawa Diagram or Cause and Effect Diagram. It gets its name from the fact that the shape looks a bit like a fish skeleton. A fish bone diagram is a common tool used for a cause and effect analysis, where you try to identify possible causes for a certain problem or event. The following downloads may help you get started, and if you continue reading, I've included some detailed information about how to use the diagrams.
Printable Fishbone Diagram / Cause and Effect Diagram
The following cause and effect worksheets are PDF files that you can download and print from instantly.
Fishbone Diagram Template
for Excel and OpenOffice⤓ DownloadOther Versions
Template Details
License: Private Use(not for distribution or resale)
'No installation, no macros - just a simple spreadsheet' - by Jon Wittwer
Description
Create a cause and effect diagram with a spreadsheet. Although not angled like most fishbone diagrams, this template is very simple to edit and customize (as opposed to constantly moving and aligning text boxes and arrows).
- Use cell formatting to add/remove branches to the diagram.
- Insert rows to increase space for primary causes.
- Use text indenting within a cell for secondary or tertiary causes
- Copy and paste columns to insert more categories.
The Outline worksheet included in the workbook (screenshot not shown) is even simpler to use. It organizes the diagram into an outline view that is much easier to edit on the fly.
Using a Cause and Effect Diagram
The purpose of a cause and effect analysis is to identify the causes, factors, or sources of variation that lead to a specific event, result, or defect in a product or process. A fishbone diagram is simply a tool to be used along with Brainstorming and the 5 Whys.
The various causes are grouped into categories and the arrows in the image below indicate how the causes cascade or flow toward the end effect. Due to its simplicity, the diagram is often drawn on a white board during a brainstorm session. I designed the above template so that it would easy for someone familiar with Excel to use during a meeting to record the ideas as they are discussed.
Steps to Using a Cause and Effect Diagram
- Define the Effect: Be specific.
- Choose Categories: The template is set up with the most common set of categories, but you can add or remove categories based on your specific case. See the example categories below.
- Brainstorm Possible Causes: Using the diagram while brainstorming can both broaden and focus your thinking as you consider the various categories in turn.
- Ask Why?: You really want to find the root causes, and one way to help do that is to use the 5 Whys technique: asking 'Why?' or 'Why else?' over and over until you come up with possible root causes. 'Improper handling' is not a root cause, while 'Failing to wear Latex gloves' might be closer to a root cause. But, you could still ask 'Why was he/she not wearing gloves?' with the possible response 'There were none available.' It is a lot easier to take action against the inventory problem than just the generic 'improper handling'.
- Investigate: Now that you've come up with possible causes, it is time to go gather data to confirm which causes are real or not.
Common Categories in a Fishbone Diagram
The M's | The P's (Service Industry) | The S's (Service Industry) |
---|---|---|
Machine (Equipment) Method (Process) Man Power (People / physical labor) Material Mother Nature (Environment) Management (Policies) Measurement (Inspection) Maintenance Marketing (Promotion) | Plant/Place Process People Policies Procedures Price Promotion Product | Surroundings Supplies Systems Skills |
Categorization vs. Causality
During a brainstorm session, this diagram is usually used very loosely, meaning that sometimes branches (what I have labeled as primary and secondary causes in the diagram below) may actually represent sub-categories of causes rather than actual causality.
When a cause and effect diagram is used to represent causality, then the primary and secondary branches taken on very specific meanings:
A Primary Cause is one that could lead directly to the effect. For example, a light bulb that burns out pre-maturely (the effect) might be caused by a sudden jarring motion such as dropping, which might be listed under the category People if it was associated with handling by a person (as opposed to machine handling).
A Secondary Cause is a cause that could lead to a Primary Cause, but does not directly cause the end effect. For example, the cause slippery hands doesn't make the bulb burn out, but it could lead to the light bulb being dropped. So slippery hands would be listed as a secondary cause under dropping.
When a fishbone diagram is used for simply categorizing possible causes, then instead of listing Dropping in the place of a primary cause, it might be listed under the sub-category Improper Handling, with Dropping and Throwing as different causes that fit under that sub-category. The following example shows the sub-categories highlighted.
Effect: Light Bulb Burning Out PrematurelyCausality Approach | Categorization Approach | Combination |
---|---|---|
People > Dropping > > Slippery Hands > > Rolling off a Table > Throwing | People > Improper Handling > > Dropping > > Throwing | People > Improper Handling > > Dropping > > > Slippery Hands > > > Rolling off a Table > > Throwing |
A tree diagram, probability tree, or root cause analysis is geared more towards thinking in terms of causality, while using a fishbone diagram tends to make people think in terms of categorization. Using the fish bone diagram loosely may result in a combination of the two approaches as the group oscillates between categorizing different causes and asking 'Why?' or 'Why else?'.
Although I've never seen any reference for this technique, I use the following rule to distinguish between categorization vs. causality:
Just as the main categories (Equipment, People, etc.) are highlighted by placing a circle or box around them, if you include sub-categories in your cause-and-effect diagram, circle the sub-category so you can distinguish between categorization vs. causality.
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The following tree diagram shows the difference between categorization (grouping of causes) and causality (the tree).
Related Content
More Quality Management Resources
- Control Chart - by Vertex42.com - Easily create an Xbar-R control chart for a process.
- Pareto Chart - by Vertex42.com - Perform a pareto analysis (visualize the ranking of most significant factors)
Cite this Page
You can reference the information on this page using an inline text link, or something similar to the following citation:- Wittwer, J.W., 'Fishbone Diagram / Cause and Effect Diagram in Excel,' From Vertex42.com. Oct 29, 2009, https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/fishbone-diagram.html.
Templates for Six Sigma Projects
The use of charts and diagrams to measure data and illustrate concepts is an important part of Six Sigma methodology. However, if you’re not careful, you can find yourself spending more time trying to develop these visual representations than working on the actual project. With that in mind, we’re offering several free Six Sigma templates in the Bright Hub Project Management Media Gallery that you can download and adapt to your own individual project needs. These samples are just a few of the many free project management forms and templates available for download at Bright Hub.
Fishbone Diagrams
Fishbone diagrams are often constructed to represent the outcome of a team brainstorming session.They are also known as Cause and Effect diagrams or Ishikawa diagrams.
The following variations of Fishbone diagram templates have been added to the Project Management Media Gallery.You are welcome to download these or any of the other Six Sigma templates found in the gallery.
- Microsoft Excel Fishbone Diagram for the 6 Ms – This Excel template has been formulated around the 6M variation of the Fishbone diagram and includes categories for Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Man, and Management.It is one primarily used by manufacturing industries.
- Microsoft Publisher Fishbone Diagram for the 6 Ms – Like the Excel version, this Microsoft Publisher template focuses on categories that are predominantly used by manufacturing industries.
- Microsoft Publisher Fishbone Diagram for the 4 Ps – This template is a slight variation from the previous Excel form and is targeted more towards service industries.It includes the headings Policies, Procedures, People, and Plant.This is often referred to as the 4P Fishbone diagram.
PICK Charts
A PICK chart provides a simple way to organize and evaluate potential ways to improve an existing process.By arranging ideas on the basis of how easy they are to implement and how big a payoff can be obtained by implementation, each alternative can be placed in one of four categories:Possible, Implement, Challenge, Kill.It is from these four categories that the acronym PICK is derived.
The following PICK chart templates are available as free downloads in the Project Management Media Gallery.
- Microsoft Excel PICK Chart Template – Created in Excel, this template can be used “as-is” or altered to suit the specific needs of your project.
- Microsoft Excel 97-2003 PICK Chart Template – This is the same template as the above version, but was saved as an Excel 97-2003 workbook for the benefit of those who are using an older version of Microsoft Office.
- Microsoft Publisher PICK Chart Template– Based on the same format as the Excel PICK Chart, this template created in Microsoft Publisher can be easily modified to include graphics or company logos.
- PDF Version of PICK Chart Template – This file is a PDF version of the PICK Chart template created in Microsoft Publisher 2007.It can be printed out and used in brainstorming sessions.
SIPOC Diagrams
A SIPOC Diagram is a high-level map that shows the process of how a particular customer requirement is satisfied. SIPOC is an acronym for Suppliers, Input, Process, Output, and Customers – the five segments that divide the diagram.This type of diagram is often used during the “Define” phase of Six Sigma to help establish the scope of the project.
- Microsoft Excel SIPOC Diagram Template – For those who prefer Excel files, this SIPOC Diagram template was created in Excel.
- Microsoft Excel 97-2003 SIPOC Diagram Template – This template is a duplicate of the above version saved in a format that can be opened in older versions of Excel.
- Microsoft Publisher SIPOC Diagram Template – Using the same basic setup as the Excel SIPOC diagrams, this template has been created using Publisher.
If you're looking for more sample forms and downloadable templates, check out Bright Hub's resource guide Over 50 Free Project Management Templates and Sample Forms.
This post is part of the series: Six Sigma Templates
Six Sigma has gained in popularity recently as a go to process of choice for many project managers.
Edraw is used as a fishbone diagram software coming with ready-made fishbone diagram templates that make it easy for anyone to create good-looking fishbone diagram. The fishbone diagram templates are customizable and free. Edraw can also convert all these templates into PowerPoint, PDF or Word templates.
Node Fishbone Diagram | Outline Cause and Effect Diagram | Highlight Fishbone Diagram |
Fishbone Diagram Presentation | Icon Fishbone Diagram | Healthy Life Fishbone |
Cause and Effect Diagram | Sales Decrease Ishikawa Diagram | Low Satisfaction Fishbone |
Fishbone Diagram | Service Problem Ishikawa Diagram | Market Cause Effect Diagram |
Customer Loss Fishbone Diagram | Result Delay Fishbone | Academic Record Fishbone |
Marketing Strategy Fishbone | Time Management Fishbone | Cause Effect Line Style |
Reading Interest Fishbone | Ishikawa Diagram | Force Field Analysis Diagram |
Edraw Fishbone Diagram Templates for MS Office
Start From Free Edraw Fishbone Diagram Template. Edraw offers the easiest way to create a fishbone diagram. It only takes a few seconds to choose a fishbone template, edit text, and add the finishing touches. To find a ready made template, go to fishbone diagram templates page and choose the Fishbone Diagram that best fits your requirements.
Try Affordable Visio Alternative for Windows and Mac
Try Affordable Visio Alternative for Windows and Mac
Fishbone Diagram Template Lab Values
PowerPoint Fishbone Diagram Template
When you finish creating your fishbone diagram in Edraw, one click on the Export button will transfer your drawing into MS PowerPoint presentation.You need to consider a few things when creating a fishbone diagram to help define quality problems in a format that is easily understood.
View a Simple PowerPoint Fishbone Diagram Template
View a Simple PowerPoint Fishbone Diagram Template
Word Fishbone Diagram Template
In order to save the template as a design template, you need to download Edraw and edit it. All templates in the software gallery windows can freely change in color, theme and effect.
View a Word Fishbone Diagram Template
View a Word Fishbone Diagram Template
PDF Fishbone Diagram Template
Blank Cbc Diagram
All are simple, a single click on the Export PDF button will convert your fishbone diagram template into PDF.
You can view the PDF Fishbone Diagram Template to view the quality.
You can view the PDF Fishbone Diagram Template to view the quality.
More Fishbone Diagram Templates
Here are some fishbone templates that you can download and edit. Create high-quality fishbone diagram with minimum time using these templates.
Looking for templates for crafts, scrapbooking or any other project? Find a free template for everything here!
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Make Your Work Simpler With Templates
The template is a framework or blueprint which can be used for creating a generic class or function. It can be used by web designers to design web pages. It is used for the creation of static content, providing the basic structure and characteristic appearance to the web content. It is present in HTML editor, web application framework.
Templates can be used for making CV, resume in order to apply for jobs. Greeting card templates are also available online, and one can always refer to it for customizing one’s own card.
Templates are very useful which provides your assistance and guides you through your work.
fishbone lab diagram template