Question
The categories in a Fishbone analysis, also known as Ishikawa or cause and effect diagram, are typically determined by the problem at hand. They are the major factors that contribute to the outcome or problem you're investigating.
Common categories include: People, Methods, Machines, Materials, Measurements, and Environment. These are often referred to as the 6Ms in manufacturing industry. In service industries, the 4Ps are often used: Policies, Procedures, People, and Plant/Technology.
However, these categories can be customized based on your specific situation. The key is to identify the major areas that have a significant impact on your problem. Brainstorming with your team can be a good way to identify these categories.
Once you have identified the categories, you can then identify specific causes within each category. These causes are the 'bones' in your Fishbone diagram.
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