Participants can then reveal their sticky notes one-by-one when they choose to. Use Metro Retro's private sticky note writing to enable participants to write their points without fear or influencing each other. Exercises exploring cause and effect can sometimes have some tension, with varying levels of comfort between participants.Tips for using the Ishikawa exercise in Metro Retro As the causes and sub-causes build up, this will help you to identify and then address root causes to the problem, and will give you a place to start identifying areas to address.Continue to ask “Why does this happen?” about each cause. Causes can be written in several places if they relate to several categories. As causes are written, ask “Why does this happen?” and continue to add sub-levels to each category.You can copy / paste the fish ribs to extend the diagram.

As you progress through the exercise, new categories will emerge.

Write categories for the causes at the tip of the fish ribs, and prompt the team to add their points below them.

Write the problem statement at the head of the fish.

The causes are grouped into categories, which prompt thinking of alternative causes, and similar to the 5 Why's exercise, the causes are explored for further contributing causes. It's a great way to visually brainstorm all the factors that contribute to a problem, and is more structured than most other brainstorming activities.

The Ishikawa (fishbone) exercise is used to explore cause and effect, most often when performing root cause analysis.

Ishikawa fish diagram template