Fishbone Diagram Guide

Effect, Category, Primary Cause and Secondary

Ellipse or rectangle at the end Cause shapes all have connection points to which
show the main categories of Reasons further you can connect child shapes. They are all evenly
potential causes. (Secondary Causes) distributed so that you don't need to worry about
explain the primary causes. spacing.

Cause Cause Cause

Primary causes are listed
on lines that connect to the
Secondary Cause
categories.
Problem or Effect you are
Primary Cause analyzing is placed on the right
Primary Cause side of the fishbone diagram.

Primary Cause Secondary Cause

Secondary Cause
Text

Problem
Primary Cause Primary Cause

Primary Cause Primary Cause

The spine is the large arrow going Primary Cause
horizontally from left to right and
pointing to the effect or problem. Primary Cause
Primary Cause
Third level
Secondary
cause
Cause

Cause Cause Cause

All cause shapes have attached Third level causes can also
text boxes. Double click the text be added when necessary to
box and input data. explain secondly causes.