To put it succinctly, yes, a cause-and-effect diagram is just an Ishikawa or Fishbone Diagram. You’ll know this tool if you have any familiarity with the 7 QC tools found in Six Sigma.

A successful fishbone diagram is led by a facilitator—one individual on the team who’s job is to remain impartial to the discussion, write down the identified causes on the fishbone diagram, and let ...