Problem

Cause

Cause

Cause

Cause

Primary Cause

Primary Cause

Secondary Cause

Ellipse or rectangle at the end show the main categories of potential causes.

Cause

Cause

Primary causes are listed on lines that connect to the categories.

The spine is the large arrow going horizontally from left to right and pointing to the effect or problem.

Primary Cause

Text

Secondary Cause

Secondary Cause

Reasons further (Secondary Causes) explain the primary causes.

Effect, Category, Primary Cause and Secondary Cause shapes all have connection points to which you can connect child shapes. They are all evenly distributed so that you don't need to worry about spacing.

Problem or Effect you are analyzing is placed on the right side of the fishbone diagram.

Primary Cause

Primary CausePrimary Cause

Secondary Cause

Third level cause

Third level causes can also be added when necessary to explain secondly causes.

Primary Cause

Primary Cause

Primary CausePrimary Cause

All cause shapes have attached text boxes. Double click the text box and input data.

Fishbone Diagram Guide