Creating a SIPOC Chart
February 12, 2025
Export credit agencies are quasi-government agencies. These agencies are usually backed by government institutions. This means that they are under the purview of government authorities and also have access to taxpayer funds. All developed countries in the world have created their own export credit agencies. Collectively these agencies wield a tremendous amount of influence on […]
Financial accounting module of an ERP package provides company wide control and integration of financial information. This module provides the ability to centrally track financial accounting data within a framework of multiple companies, languages and currencies. The General Ledger (GL) module is the heart of finance package of an ERP system. Through integration with logistics, […]
When you buy any Computer or Electronics Hardware or equipment, normally one of the questions asked to the sales person is “What is the Service Support” provided by the company. Today the brand image or market demand rides not only the quality of the product but on the quality of service support too. Service support […]
Are Indian Start-ups and eCommerce Firms Living in Fantasy Land? It is a well known fact that India is a favourite destination for yield hungry investors and angel investors keen to fund start-ups and eCommerce firms in the hope that they would be able to garner significant profits at a later stage. Indeed, India is […]
No understanding of Six Sigma is complete without truly understanding where it came from – Motorola. The backdrop of the story shows how Six Sigma implementations changed the way Multi-National Corporations conducted operations worldwide. It started in 1981. Motorola like most American companies was reeling under the threat of Japanese competition. Recovering from World War-2, […]
The fishbone diagram, which also goes by a couple of other names like the Cause and effect diagram and the Ishikawa diagram is one of the seven basic tools of quality management. It has wide ranging applications in almost all six sigma projects. The Fishbone diagram is a simple but highly effective tool in problem solving.
How We Usually Solve Problems: The management in every organization is in charge of solving everyone’s problems. But as we know they are not very efficient at it. This is because of their lack of knowledge that a problem does exist. Also once they realise the problem, they may not have sufficient insight to solve the problem. It is for this reason Fishbone diagrams suggest that cross functional teams be used. Cross functional teams include workers, technical staff, management, support functions staff etc. Only the use of cross functional teams can make brainstorming a success with or without a fishbone diagram.
To be Used in Teams at Brainstorming Sessions: Once a cross functional team has been selected to solve the problem a brainstorming session is called. However instead of the usual brainstorming a Fishbone diagram is used. This helps get structured inputs from various members of the organization.
The fishbone diagram is called a fishbone diagram because it does look like a fishbone. So how exactly does it help in brainstorming? Here is how. An issue is listed at the far right hand corner of the diagram. A central line is drawn from the left pointing towards the issue. This line then branches out into several lines, each of which represents a category of problems.
Firstly by categorizing problems, we understand the fact that they might have similar root causes. Hence we can solve the issues more effectively and by utilising minimal resources.
Categories Give Structure to Thinking: Now, Brainstorming can be done in several ways, there is no need of a Fishbone diagram to do so. However, Fishbone diagrams help in giving structure to the thoughts. This is because Fishbone diagrams have pre-defined categories. Therefore when a participant is trying to brainstorm they have a more specific way to look at the problem. For instance, in a brainstorming session people may be asked their views on how materials mismanagement is leading to delayed deliveries.
Only One Issue per Diagram: The flipside of a Fish-bone diagram is the fact that there can only be one issue per diagram. However, in quality management it is a known fact that cause and effect are seldom present in one layer. Hence the use of fishbone diagram may become problematic in certain cases. This is when one issue leads to another and another. Instead of one fishbone diagram, several others may be required and the whole process of problem solving may become exceedingly complex.
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