Creating a SIPOC Chart
February 12, 2025
Immediately after receiving the initial information about the Six Sigma Project, scoping begins. Scoping is usually the first task done while executing any project. Here is what exactly Project Scoping is and how to use it. What is Project Scope? A Project scope defines exactly what is in the process. Processes are usually continuous i.e. […]
Why Data is the New Oil Data is the New Oil, proclaimed, India’s Richest Person and the one of the World’s leading Businessperson, Mukesh Ambani. He was referring to the fights over data in the digital age being similar to the battles over Oil in the Industrial Age. As Oil was the Lubricant that made […]
Almost all startups being funded nowadays have an online business model. This is the reason why they appear to be similar to each other. However, this observation is a flaw in the thinking of the untrained observer. Not all online business models are similar to one another. There are many varied forms of models that […]
Introduction Proliferation of information technology has increased in the last decade. Today’s organizations are acknowledging the importance of information systems. It has been accepted worldwide that information system provides competitive edge and are the bedrock for innovation. The six basic functions of information systems are capture data, transmit data, store data, retrieve data, manipulate data […]
The crash in the value of the Turkish lira is not really a surprise. President Erdogan has been following loose monetary policies despite receiving warnings from several monetary experts. In a way, this economic turmoil has been self-inflicted. Turkey has increased its money supply to about 300% in the past seven years! The rationale behind […]
Given the usefulness of the fishbone diagram, it is essential that every student of quality and six sigma know how to use it. To aid the students in learning, here is a step-by-step procedure of how a fishbone diagram must be drawn:
Step 1 - List The Effect (Problem) to the Right: A fishbone diagram can be used for exploration only once the effect (problem) is known to the participants. The very first step in the procedure is to write the effect and a draw an arrow from the left pointing towards the problem on the right.
Step 2 - Branch Out into Categories: From the central line drawn, several categories usually branch out. These categories can be custom defined. The definition of the categories is the primary structure in the brainstorming exercise. Choosing the wrong categories can have large scale implications.
However, in most cases pre-defined categories are used. Some of the most commonly used categories are as follows:
The 8 M’s in Manufacturing: (Famously Used By Toyota)
The 8 P’s in Service Industry:
The 5 P’s in Service Industry:
Specific Causes as Branches: Once these categories have been created, it is time to brainstorm. One of the most common methods is to select a category and go to every person one by one for suggestions. Every person can make only one suggestion in one round. If they do not have a suggestion they say pass. This must be continued till most people in the group are saying pass. Once all the possible causes have been listed out as sub-branches in the category, move on to the next category. Repeat till the diagram is full.
Refine and Highlight: Once the diagram is full and the brainstorming exercise is complete, it is now time to refine the number of causes. This is because, it is likely that the brainstorming exercise has come up with 50 to 100 causes which obviously cannot be focussed upon. Therefore causes are sometimes reduced to their root cause or are prioritized. This ensures that there is consensus upon what is more important in the process.
Repeat after a Few Days: A fishbone diagram if used once will not yield great results. It has to become a regular feature of the shop-floor like it has been in Toyota for all these years. Participating members are advised to “sleep over the issues” i.e. to mull over the issues and let the group know if they have developed some sort of insight. Repeated use and undiluted focus produce great results.
Ishikawa Diagram/Fish Bone Diagram Template
Fishbobne Cause and Effect Diagram
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *