Free fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram template for Excel

A table with one column per 6M category and a cell for the effect, the same table filled with a worked example, and short instructions. It holds the content of a fishbone diagram in a form that is easy to edit and share.

In short

A fishbone diagram template sorts the possible causes of a problem into the 6M categories — method, machine, material, manpower, measurement and environment — under a clearly stated effect. In this file the categories are columns and the causes are rows, rather than a drawing.

fishbone-diagram-template.xlsx

Works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice. No sign-up.

Download the template (.xlsx)

What is in the file

—“Template” sheet: a cell for the effect and one column per 6M category — Method, Machine, Material, Manpower, Measurement and Environment — with bordered empty rows for the causes.
—“Example” sheet: the same table filled in for a plant that wants new operators to reach standard output sooner.
—“How to use” sheet: the steps to complete it, in short.
—It is a table, not a drawn fishbone: the categories and causes are the same, laid out in columns.

How to use it

1Write the effect. Specific and measurable, in the effect cell. A vague effect leads to equally vague causes.
2Collect the causes under each category. Brainstorm with the team, one cause per row, without debating yet. A category that does not apply stays empty.
3Go one level deeper on the important ones. Ask why on each cause that matters, so the list does not stay on the surface.
4Mark the most likely causes and check them. Pick two or three and verify them with data before acting.

Read the full guide →

Frequently asked questions

Why a table and not a drawn fishbone?

The table holds the same content — the effect, the categories and the causes — and is easier to edit, sort and share. If the team prefers the drawing for a workshop, it can be sketched from the table in a few minutes.

What are the 6Ms?

Method, machine, material, manpower, measurement and environment (sometimes called mother nature). They are the usual categories for sorting causes in manufacturing; other settings sometimes adapt them.

Excel or a dedicated tool?

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SIPOC template →Pareto chart template →Value stream map template →Action plan template →Control plan template →

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