Fishbone Diagram Template
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The Fishbone Diagram (also known as the Ishikawa Diagram or Cause and Effect Diagram) is a proven visual tool used to systematically identify the root causes behind process issues. Whether you’re investigating a quality concern, process delay, or recurring failure, the Fishbone Diagram helps teams organize possible causes into categories—like the classic 6Ms (Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, and Mother Nature/Environment).
You can download our Fishbone Diagram Excel template, designed to walk you through the entire root cause brainstorming process. Whether you’re new to Lean Six Sigma or a seasoned problem-solver, this template provides a clear, editable structure that saves time and boosts team clarity.
Use this resource to:
✅ Map out potential root causes – Structure your thinking using 6M or custom categories to uncover what’s really behind the problem.
✅ Facilitate collaborative analysis – Use the template in workshops or RCA sessions to align team insights quickly.
✅ Document your investigation clearly – Keep a record of contributing causes, grouped logically to aid follow-up.
✅ Support other RCA tools – Easily pair with 5 Whys, Pareto Charts, and your broader DMAIC project work.
✅ Accelerate continuous improvement – Get to the real cause faster so you can fix it and prevent recurrence.
Download the Fishbone Diagram template now and start uncovering the real reasons behind process problems—so you can fix them for good.
28 Days of Lean Mastery –
Free Templates Inside
Every day you’ll get a proven Lean tool, a tip to apply it, and a downloadable template.
- ✅ Daily email with Lean tools
- ✅ Excel + printable templates
- ✅ Bite-sized lessons you can use
Other Templates
28 Days of Lean Mastery –
Free Templates Inside
Every day you’ll get a proven Lean tool, a tip to apply it, and a downloadable template.
- ✅ Daily email with Lean tools
- ✅ Excel + printable templates
- ✅ Bite-sized lessons you can use