Creating and Using a Cause and Effect Map

How did that happen?  It’s a simple question that doesn’t get asked often, or particularly well.  Join us this week as we talk about Cause & Effect, and how Managers can use simple techniques to increase the chances they are solving problems that matter, rather than symptoms of something else.

Monday’s Tip: Have a clear problem statement. Be very clear what problem you are trying to solve.  If it is ambiguous, or not commonly understood, you will are wasting your time.

Tuesday’s Tip: Be flexible with the “bone” categories. Don’t get locked-in to the standard cause categories.  Use them as a starting point, and then customize the categories as the situation warrants.

Wednesday’s Tip: Work to the appropriate level of detail. Sometimes, you need to ask why five or six times of a cause.  Other times, the answer becomes ridiculous after three times of asking why.  Know when to quit.

Thursday’s Tip: Look for causes that appear in multiple places. If the same cause occurs several times or places on your fishbone diagram, you pay particular attention to that cause.

Friday’s Tip: Prioritize the action to take. You can’t do everything.  Pick one or two of the most critical causes of your problem, and address those things.  Do not diffuse your effort by trying to address everything.