What type of diagram might be used to identify potential causes of a problem?

The fish-bone diagram, also known as a cause-and-effect diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is a powerful tool used in quality management and problem-solving. It helps teams systematically identify and categorize potential causes of a problem or effect.

The layout resembles a fish's skeleton, with the main problem being represented as the fish's head and the potential causes branching off the spine like bones. This visual format encourages participants to delve deeply into various categories of causes, such as people, processes, materials, and environment, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of what might be contributing to the issue at hand. Its structure promotes brainstorming and collaboration, making it easier for teams to pinpoint specific areas where solutions can be implemented.

In contrast, scatter plots are primarily used to identify relationships between two variables, while trend diagrams focus on analyzing patterns over time. A process flowchart maps out steps in a process but is not specifically designed to identify causes of issues. The fish-bone diagram stands out for its targeted approach to exploring and categorizing the root causes of problems, making it an essential tool in total quality management.