If you don't have RFFlow installed already, download the free trial version. Then you can open the samples on this page directly in RFFlow by clicking on the .flo file links below. From there you can zoom in, edit, and print the sample chart. (Users of Netscape Navigator 6 should right-click on the file and select Save Link As...)

Many of the shapes used on this page are in the Cause-Effect (Fishbone) Diagrams stencil. To open this stencil, click the More Shapes button , Cause-Effect (Fishbone), and Add Stencil.

Download fishbone.flo (15 KB)

Cause-effect diagrams are also called Ishikawa diagrams after their creator, Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa. These diagrams are used in identifying and organizing the possible causes of a problem. They are sometimes referred to as fishbone diagrams because they resemble the skeleton of a fish, with a head, spine, and bones.

Download post_office.flo (13 KB)

The problem to be solved is placed in the box on the far right. It should be a well defined problem with a narrow focus, or the chart will get too large. The spine is a large horizontal arrow that points to the problem box.

Download photolithography.flo (11 KB)

Connecting to the central spine are the bones. These bones are all the possible causes of the problem. The smallest bones are the most specific causes. The bones are drawn in groups of related causes.