Fishbone (Ishikawa) Template

What is a Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram?

Also known as a cause-and-effect diagram, the Fishbone Diagram resembles a fish's skeleton, with the main problem at the head and potential causes branching out as bones. This structure helps teams categorize and pinpoint the origins of issues, facilitating thorough analysis and problem-solving.

How to Use the Fishbone (Ishikawa) Template in TeamRetro

1. Access the Template:

   • Navigate to your Team dashboard.

     

   • Click on "START A RETROSPECTIVE" or navigate to the "RETROSPECTIVES" tab to start a new retrospective.

     

     
     

   • Select the "Fishbone (Ishikawa) Retrospective" from the list of standard templates.

     

     
     
2. Define the Problem Statement:

   • Clearly articulate the problem your team aims to address. This will be the main title of the retrospective. Alternatively, you can describe the issue by adding it into the context

     

     
     
3. Identify Major Cause Categories:
   • Determine the main categories contributing to the problem:
     • System: technology, software, or tools affecting your team’s performance.
     • Process: workflows causing delays or inefficiencies in your work.
     • Forms: issues with documentation impacting clarity or accuracy.
     • People: factors related to specific skills, communication, or roles affecting success.
     • Policies: guidelines or rules misaligned with actual practices
     • Place: aspect of physical or virtual workspace impacting collaboration or productivity.

   • These categories will form the primary branches of your diagram.

     
     
4. Brainstorm Potential Causes:

   • Under each major category, ask the team to brainstorm specific factors that might be contributing to the problem.

     
     
5. Analyze and Prioritize Causes:
   • Review the diagram to identify the most likely root causes. Go to the "GROUP" step and look for any common themes or repeated patterns.

   • In the "VOTE" step ask the team to vote on the key factors they believe are the main root causes of the problem. This might warrant a further discussion on the certain factors

     
     
6. Develop Action Plans:

   • For each identified root cause, formulate actionable items to address and mitigate the issue. Assign due dates, priorities, and responsibilities to ensure effective implementation.

     

     
     

7. Conclude and Reflect

   Download and share the reports with any absent users or interested stakeholders for a quick summary.