Practical Management

for Career Readiness

Effective Problem Solving and

Decision Making
Module 2

with Rob Stone, M.Ed., PMP

Cause and
Effect Diagram

Three Terms Same Tool

Cause and Effect Diagram (CE Diagram)
Fishbone Diagram
Ishikawa Diagram

Cause and Effect Diagram

A visualization tool for categorizing the
potential causes of a problem in order to
identify its root causes.

CE Diagram
Shows issues that
cause most of our
problems

VS Pareto Chart
Helps focus our efforts
on the most important
things

The Effect: The thing we are examining

Effect

Categories: Four Common Ones

People

Materials

Effect

Methods

Machines

The Causes: What causes the effect?

People

Materials
Cause

Cause

Cause
Cause

Methods

Cause

Machines

Effect

Root Causes: Keep asking why

People

Materials
Cause

Cause

Cause
Cause
Cause
Cause
Cause

Cause
Cause

Methods

Machines

Effect

Poor Gas Mileage

People
Driver
Excessive speed

Quick starts by driver

Measurement
Improper
Tune-up

Process

Buying low cost parts

Tune-up frequency

Always running late

Brand of Gasoline

Materials

Effect
Correct spark
plugs used

Equipment

Excessive city driving

Multiple drivers

Environment