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A Worksheet for Ishikawa Diagrams

A Perkin tracker combines the benefits of brainstorming with an action-item tracking list

Matthew Barsalou
Wed, 03/30/2016 - 14:55
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The start of a failure investigation may involve brainstorming, but empirical methods will be required to actually identify a problem's cause. Implementing an improvement action without a confirmed root cause risks a reoccurrence of the issue because the true root cause has yet to be addressed.

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The Ishikawa diagram, a cause-and-effect diagram created by Kaoru Ishikawa, is a common and useful tool for investigating failures and can be effective in facilitating brainstorming sessions. However, it may not be specific enough for a root-cause analysis team to identify evaluation methods for the hypothesized causes listed in the Ishikawa diagram (aka fishbone diagram). Additionally, once completed, the diagram contains great information, but isn't very useable or actionable by itself.

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Comments

Submitted by QualiMedd on Wed, 03/30/2016 - 10:16

Ishikawa worksheet

How can we get a copy of your worksheet to avoid reinventing the wheel?

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Submitted by Matt_B on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 12:10

In reply to Ishikawa worksheet by QualiMedd

Quality Digest will be adding

Quality Digest will be adding an Excel template to the article.

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Submitted by BenOvshinsky on Wed, 03/30/2016 - 11:06

A Worksheet for Ishikawa Diagrams

With your simple, commonsense explanation (and the Perkin Tracker), you have cleared-up several decades of frustration and uncertainty (brought about by trying to make the tool conventionally conform to what I was ‘taught’) –  about the proper (i.e. effective) use of this extremely powerful and useful analytical tool. I am now going to return to its use, in widespread situations. Thank you!

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Submitted by Matt_B on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 12:08

In reply to A Worksheet for Ishikawa Diagrams by BenOvshinsky

Thanks for the kind words.

Thanks for the kind words. The idea is from Robert Perkin and I think it is both a simple and powerful innovation so I had to share his concept.

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Submitted by Alan Metzel on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 07:02

Ishikawa Diagrams

Excelllent tool! There is one improvement that I have used in similar tools, adding columns ranking perceived probability that this is the likely root cause and ranking cost in time, money or other resources (which could be individual or combined).  Then assign a numerical value to each; the scale can be as simple as 1, 3, 5 or as complicated as 1 through 10, for extemely fine granulation, with the final ranking being the product of the individual rankings.

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Submitted by Matt_B on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 12:03

In reply to Ishikawa Diagrams by Alan Metzel

I like your suggestion, but I

I like your suggestion, but I think it may be a little complicated for beginners without instructions. Quality Digest will be posting an Excel template based on my article. Please feel free to use my example and template if you would like to write about your version. I’m tempted, but I would not get around to it for a while.

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Submitted by Alan Metzel on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 13:50

In reply to I like your suggestion, but I by Matt_B

Perkin redux

Matt,

Thank you for your kind words, I know I can definitely identify with the time issues. Time permitting, I may take you up on your kind offer.

Remember, however, no good deed goes unpunished!

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