---
name: ishikawa-diagram
description: Use when asked about an "Ishikawa diagram" for root-cause analysis — the same technique as a cause-and-effect diagram (see cause-and-effect-diagram), named after its creator Kaoru Ishikawa, also called a fishbone diagram (see fishbone-diagram).
---

# Ishikawa Diagram

An "Ishikawa diagram" is the same technique as a
[[cause-and-effect-diagram]] — named after its creator, quality-
control expert **Kaoru Ishikawa**. See [[cause-and-effect-diagram]]
for the technique covered in full depth (the 6M cause categories, running
the brainstorming process, and common pitfalls) — this entry exists
because "Ishikawa diagram" is one of three common names for the
identical tool, alongside "cause-and-effect diagram" and
[[fishbone-diagram]].

## Why the name varies

All three names describe the same technique: "Ishikawa diagram" names it
after its creator, "cause-and-effect diagram" names it by function, and
"fishbone diagram" names it by its visual fish-skeleton shape. None
implies a different method or a different set of pitfalls — apply exactly
the discipline [[cause-and-effect-diagram]] describes regardless of
which name a team or document happens to use.

## Learn more

- [[cause-and-effect-diagram]] for this technique in full depth — the three names are interchangeable.
- [[fishbone-diagram]] for the same technique under its shape-based name.