6M Fishbone Diagram

6M Fishbone diagram template

This 6M Fishbone diagram template is a great way to visually represent a cause and effect diagram. It contains 6Ms standing from Manpower, Method, Machine, Material, Milieu (Environment) and Measurement.

Problem statement

Describe the problem in one sentence, as a question.

Try to find five different ways to describe the problem and choose the one that suggests solutions.

Materials

Under this topic, list potential causes that relate to the materials or information being used. Think about:

• What quality and quantity of materials or information are needed
• How you measure this quality and quantity
• How you detect unacceptable quality or quantity
• The effects of unacceptable quality or quantity

Manpower

Under this topic, list all the potential causes of the problem that relate to manpower. Think about:

• What skill levels are required
• How skill levels are measured and checked
• What effort or time are needed and how this is provided
• What communications are needed
• What kind of mistakes could be made
• What assumptions people might be making
• What shortcuts might be used that affect the outcome
• How mistakes are detected and handled
• How work is checked and approved

Milieu (Environment)

Under this topic, list potential causes of the problem that relate to its environment. Think about:

• What range of conditions must be accommodated?
• How does the problem change under different conditions and circumstances?
• Which factors could be affected by changing conditions?

Measurement

Under this topic, list potential causes that relate to measurement and record-keeping. Think about:

• What measurements are taken
• When measurements are taken
• How measurements are taken
• How accurate the measurements are
• How reliable they are
• What the measurements help you to do and how they are used
• The potential effects of poor measurement or no measurement

Method

Under this topic, list potential causes of the problem that relate to the method or process. Think about:

• Whether the method is suitable
• Accuracy and completeness of descriptions
• Handover to and from other processes
• What records are kept
• How errors or exceptions are handled

Machine

Under this topic, list all the potential causes of the problem that relate to machinery, equipment or tools. Think about:

• Failures
• Performance
• Reliability
• Repeatability
• Usability
• Suitability for purpose
• Known defects or issues
• Previous repairs or maintenance

Cause