MPOWER
MPOWER Newsletter
 
August, 2011 - Vol 1, Issue 8
In This Issue
Why, Oh Why? The Importance of 5-Why
Fishbone Diagrams
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"Shallow men believe in luck, believe in circumstances... Strong men believe in cause and effect."

 

           ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  

"Why" is the start of many laments; however, there's a lot of power in that word. Asking "why" can provide you with the right solution to your problem or give you a great place to start. This issue's feature explores the benefits of the 5-Why process and fish bone charting that goes along with it.

 Paper Why

Why, Oh Why? The Importance of 5-Why

 

Kids understand the importance of asking why. In fact, they've perfected it to an art form. If you've ever spent a few hours with a five-year-old, you've experienced this phenomenon: "Why are we stopping?" "To get gas." "Why do we need gas?" "So the car doesn't stop." "Why will the car stop?" This question and answer process continues, and the next thing you know, Kid questionyou're explaining internal combustion. Invariably, this conversation ends with "Just because," which is the indicator that you've either reached the end of your knowledge on the subject or the end of your patience. The real question is: Why do we stop asking why?

Read more... 

Fishbone Diagrams

Fish diagram 

The fishbone diagram is a useful tool for determining cause and effect and diagraming the 5-Why process. Also known as Ishikawa diagrams (named for its creator) or herringbone diagrams, they typically include universal categories that contribute to problems: 

 

Equipment: Any machines, computers (hardware or software) or tools needed to complete the process.

 

Materials: Any raw materials that are needed to complete the process. Input data can be considered a raw material.

 

Environment: Physical surroundings in which the process occurs that include temperature, humidity, air quality and culture.

 

Process: How the task is completed. Process factors include specific requirements including policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws.

 

People: Anyone who has a role in carrying out the process.

 

Management: Supervisors and upper management personnel who are responsible for setting policies and approving budgets and expenditures

 

fish bone diagram

 

The six capstones, or main fish bones, are the main groupings of potential causes. (Some variations substitute "Cause 1, Cause 2" etc. as the capstones.) The detail of each cause is noted on the minor fish bones.

 

When constructing your fishbone chart, it's helpful to get as many people involved in identifying causes as feasible. Diversity can often provide a quicker solution. It also provides a sense of ownership of the problem, and ownership ignites the solution-finding fire. Also, keep in mind that creating a fishbone diagram is really a brainstorming exercise. Make note of all the ideas regarding contributing causes.

 

Finally, when the chart is complete, test its logic. The problem happens because of this, this happens because of F, F happens because of E, E happens because of D, D happens because of C, C happens because of B, and B happens because of A. You should be able to track the problem back through each of the major and minor fish bones. Don't skip the logic test. In the heat of brainstorming, it's easy to get a bit off track and possibly created a logic misstep. Without testing, you may end up chasing the wrong solution.

 

We look forward to hearing from you soon!  
  
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Sincerely,

 

MPOWER Team