Re-creative managers( The fishbone diagram)

Fishbone Diagram (Proposed by Professor Ishikawa of Tokyo University)

How does the Fishbone Diagram work?

This is a simple tool that allows quick and effective understanding of the root causes of a problem, through the pursuit of corrective actions to solving that problem. Often referred to a cause and effective diagram, Fishbone diagram is a simple root cause analysis tool that is used for brainstorming issues and causes of a particular problem(s).  The diagram resembles a fishbone structure and allows ideas to be sorted into useful categories. Categories are classed according to the degree of importance starting with the most important to least important.

How to apply the Fishbone Diagram (Use flipchart or Whiteboard and marking pens)

1.       Agree on a problem statement 

2.       Brainstorm the major categories of causes of the problem.

3.       Write the categories of causes as branches from main arrow according to simpler relationships

4.       Brainstorm all the possible causes of the problem. Ask: “Why does it happen?” Write each answer in the appropriate category.

5.       Continue to ask “Why?” Write sub-causes branching off the causes, generate deeper levels of causes. Layers of branches will indicate causal relationships

6.       When group runs out of ideas, focus attention on the chart where ideas are few.  

Fishbone Diagram (All aspects)

Diagram shows a typical fishbone template

The diagram picks out the main causes of a problem and indicates the specification/contributing factors for each cause. It also helps to establish a logical sequence for handling various parts of a problem in a systematic way and enables one to visualize the parts within the hole.

The Fishbone Diagram is also known as:

Ishikawa diagram, cause and effect diagram,

Fishbone Diagram Example

This fishbone diagram was drawn by a manufacturing team to try to understand the source of periodic iron contamination. The team used the six generic headings to prompt ideas. Layers of branches show thorough thinking about the causes of the problem.

Fishbone Diagram Example

For example, under the heading “Machines,” the idea “materials of construction” shows four kinds of equipment and then several specific machine numbers.

Note that some ideas appear in two different places. “Calibration” shows up under “Methods” as a factor in the analytical procedure, and also under “Measurement” as a cause of lab error. “Iron tools” can be considered a “Methods” problem when taking samples or a “Manpower” problem with maintenance personnel.

Creative on entrepreneurship

Research literature gives us the picture of an entrepreneur as innovative and creative people who create added value to products by searching for new solutions to problems. Research shows that personality cannot determine why some people become good entrepreneurs. It is said that being creative and innovative is a trait that sets an entrepreneur apart from others, this viewpoint then brings up the question: Does creativity lead to unique and innovative ideas that can have a huge market potential? Other research also shows that entrepreneurs do not only need to be creative and innovative (which is called the art) but they also have to be knowledgeable about the business and the operations of the business (which is called the science).

Being an entrepreneur comes with big responsibilities so entrepreneurs must always think out of the box and these requires entrepreneurs to be able to turn resources into useful products that can be used and appreciated by consumers. Becoming a creative entrepreneur there are many phases entrepreneurs go through: taking risks, working hard, trusting yourself to be able to show off what you can do and most importantly having an idea on what road to take in getting what you want. Creative entrepreneurs can always change their minds so all they have to do is to adjust to make it work for them and their consumers but the most important thing is to get started and let your business (not your imagination) inform your decisions.

To be creative an individual needs to develop ideas and be able to put them into practice in order to become successful. It is a state of mind where an individual thinks out of the box to explore some external ideas. Being creative it’s all about being able to interpret your ideas theoretically and practically, using them in any aspect of the environment. Creativity involves translation of unique ideas, vision and gifts into an external reality that is new and useful. One needs to question both theory and practical use of creativity for the implementation in the workplace.

The Role of Creativity in Entrepreneurship

Economy change has been branded recently, stirring from information based activities to creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and imagination. Effective increase in globalisation and technology has resulted in more business opportunities, however the marketplace more congested and competition increased with time. Creativity enables entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities that will effect in establishing competitive advantage of an organization. Chances are, creativity can provide basis for innovation and business growth, not forgetting its impact on society in general.

Entrepreneurship can be defined as the process of creating value (through creativity) for business and social communities by bringing together unique combinations of public and private resources to exploit economic, social or cultural opportunities in an environment of change. Creativity on the other hand can be seen as the development of new and useful consolidated ideas which can be transformed into services or products. Creativity allows organizations to take advantage of opportunities that arise from the changing environmental conditions.

When discussing entrepreneurship, three dimensions come into mind: innovation, risk-taking and reactiveness. Innovation has to do with searching for new ideas which can have profitable ends. Risk-taking deals with the willingness of people (organization, society or community) to direct available resources to identified opportunities planned to succeed. Reactiveness focuses on taking action through perseverance, adaptability and by breaching the traditional ways of doing things.

So in short every entrepreneur is special and capable of creating something out of the ordinary and still makes it work.