Model Ishikawy (Diagram Rybiej Ości) – skuteczna analiza przyczyn problemów

Ishikawa Model, also known as cause and effect diagram, fishbone diagram, or fishbone diagram, is a popular tool used in problem analysis and quality management. Developed in the 1960s by Kaoru Ishikawa, it helps teams systematically identify the sources of problems rather than just react to their effects.

🧠 WHAT IS THE ISHIKAWA MODEL?

The Ishikawa Diagram is a visual representation of the causes of a given problem. It resembles a fish skeleton, in which:

Fish head – represents the clearly defined problem or effect being analyzed.
Bones – represent the main categories of potential causes.
Smaller branches – are detailed sources within each category.

🧩 CLASSIFICATION OF CAUSES – 6M

The most commonly used division of causes is the so-called 6M model, particularly popular in production and engineering, but successfully adapted to projects and services.

🔧 1. Machines

Issues with equipment, technology, tools, or information systems.

🧭 2. Methods

Unclear, ineffective, or overly complex work procedures and processes.

📦 3. Materials

Quality, availability, timeliness, and suitability of materials for the project's needs.

👥 4. Manpower

Skills, commitment, experience, and team communication.

📏 5. Measurement

Inaccurate data, lack of control measures, incorrect progress reporting.

🌦 6. Environment

External factors, working conditions, organizational culture, climate, noise, location.

✏️ HOW TO CREATE A FISHBONE DIAGRAM?

📍 Step by step:

Define the problem – e.g., "delay in project delivery".
Draw the spine and fish head – problem written in the "head".
Add main cause categories – 6M as main bones.
Identify detailed causes – brainstorm with the team.
Analyze and select – which causes are most influential.
Implement corrective actions – focused on the main sources of the problem.

✅ ADVANTAGES OF THE ISHIKAWA MODEL

🔎 Structural analysis – organized approach to finding causes.

🤝 Team problem-solving – engages the entire team in the process.

📊 Visualization of dependencies – facilitates understanding of complex problems.

🔄 Repeatability – the tool can be used multiple times in different projects and industries.

🔁 EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION IN IT PROJECT

📌 Problem: Mobile application fails performance tests.

Machines – inadequate test server.
Methods – lack of automated load tests.
Materials – outdated libraries for backend support.
Manpower – team not trained in performance testing tools.
Measurement – lack of performance indicators for comparisons.
Environment – differences between test and production environments.

🧠 SUMMARY

The Ishikawa Model is a practical, universal, and intuitive tool for problem analysis. It supports a cause-and-effect approach, which is the foundation of effective problem-solving in projects. Regardless of the industry, the fishbone diagram allows for a quick transition from symptoms to causes – the first step towards real improvements.

Ishikawa Model – how to identify the causes of problems in a project?