Prozanta Template
Ishikawa / Fishbone diagram
Cause-and-effect analysis with the 6 Ms
Team:
Date:
Facilitator:
How to use this template
Define the problem (the effect) at the top right. Brainstorm with the group to identify possible causes under each of the 6 Ms. Dig deeper with 5 Why on the most likely causes.
Write the precise problem in the effect box
Brainstorm causes under all 6 Ms
Vote: circle the likely causes
Problem / Effect (what we want to explain the cause of)
Possible causes — the 6 Ms
Man (people)
- Skills
- behaviour
- communication
Deeper cause (5-Why):
Machine
- Equipment
- maintenance
- calibration
Deeper cause (5-Why):
Method
- Processes
- standards
- procedures
Deeper cause (5-Why):
Material
- Raw materials
- supplier quality
- storage
Deeper cause (5-Why):
Environment
- Temperature
- layout
- space
Deeper cause (5-Why):
Measurement
- Measuring equipment
- data quality
- recording
Deeper cause (5-Why):
Prioritised causes and actions
| # | Cause (from the diagram) | M category | Likelihood | Preliminary action | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High/Med/Low | ||||
| 2 | High/Med/Low | ||||
| 3 | High/Med/Low | ||||
| 4 | High/Med/Low | ||||
| 5 | High/Med/Low |
Method: Kaoru Ishikawa, “Guide to Quality Control” (1968, English edition 1976). The six Ms are a later common categorisation — Ishikawa did not prescribe fixed categories, so use them as a memory aid, not a rule.