So as we earlier talked in Cause and Effect Diagram we have the effect or the problem which is shown on 2
the head of the fish and all the causes are shown as the fins of the fish. 3
So here we have a simple example of poor quality as a problem as an effect. 4
What are the things which cause poor quality. 5
And this one is a very general cause and effect diagram. 6
This is not specific to any specific problem. 7
This is a general cause and effect. 8
Related to any quality problem, any quality related problem could happen because people, could happen 9
because a machine, could happen because of any method, management. 10
These are four broad categories I have shown here. 11
Number of times you would see that there are six M's here and when I says six M's those will be the Method, 12
the Machine, the Measurement, Material, Manpower and Mother Nature. 13
So these six categories normally could be a good starting point to have that discussion to have that 14
brainstorming that 15
oK let's talk about machine. 16
What all could cause poor quality when it comes to machine. 17
Ok someone will say that maintenance is something which could lead to a poor quality and why maintenance 18
that could be because of wear and tear, that could be because of lack of right tools. 19
And let's say if we are talking about the methods then methods could be lack of procedures, your procedures 20
might be conflicting with each other. 21
So once you have these broad categories then you can have discussion and you can go to the sub-sub 22
level of the causes. 23
So the main causes could be these six M's which are machine, method, measurement, material, manpower and Mother 24
Nature. 25
But then the subclauses could be as you discussed in the brainstorming. 26
So this is how you can prepare a cause and effect diagram. 27
And then once you have done that then you can look at each of these causes and discuss that that which 28
could be the real important cause in your case because when you do brainstorming you really don't restrict 29
anyone from any ideas. 30
So whatever ideas are coming as a part of brainstorming you keep on collecting that, you'll keep on putting 31
those on cause and effect diagrams. 32
But once you are done with the brainstorming then you look at each of these causes and think whether 33
that would have caused the problem. 34
And with this you can go to the root cause of the problem. 35
So this was tool number two out of Seven Basic Quality Tools.