Overview
Tree diagrams present causes and effects as a hierarchy.
They provide an alternative way for gathering and presenting information to Fishikawa.
Also known as
- Causal mapping
- Cause mapping
- Cognitive mapping
- Method network analysis
- Problem trees
The tool
In the following image, the problem being investigated (Effect) is shown at the bottom of the diagram, with the causes branching out above it just like a tree.
This format is not prescriptive. The problem may be drawn off to one side of the diagram, with the causes spreading across the page or screen. In other cases, the problem is at the top of the diagram, with the causes spreading downwards.
Because of the way the visualisation is structured, tree diagrams can easily be combined with Five Whys.
When to use it
- As part of a cause and effect analysis.