In the maintenance world, addressing persistent issues can seem like detective work. You're presented with symptoms, but the underlying cause remains elusive; This is where the power of fishbone diagrams comes into play. Also known as Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagrams, these tools provide a structured way to explore the root causes of problems. They are an invaluable asset when paired with the analytical capabilities of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
A Fishbone Diagram, also known as an Ishikawa Diagram or a Cause and Effect Diagram, is a visual tool for problem-solving and brainstorming in quality management and continuous improvement processes. Its purpose is to identify, explore, and visually display the root causes of a specific problem or issue.
The name comes from the diagram's resemblance to a fish's skeleton, with the 'head' representing the problem and the 'bones' branching off the 'spine' representing possible causes. Each 'bone' can further branch out into sub-causes, allowing a detailed exploration of the issue. It was originally developed by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese quality control expert, hence the alternate name, 'Ishikawa Diagram.' This tool helps teams to categorize, understand, and tackle the root causes of a problem instead of simply addressing its symptoms.
A fishbone diagram breaks down potential causes of a problem into categories, which are often referred to as the "6Ms" - Methods, Machines, Materials, Manpower, Measurement, and Mother Nature (Environment). The problem or effect is written at the 'head' of the fish, and the possible causes are charted along the 'bones,' giving a visual representation of potential root causes. This systematic approach makes identifying relationships between contributing factors easier, facilitating more targeted solutions.
Fishbone diagrams work by systematically sorting and relating the causes of a particular problem or effect. Here's a step-by-step process explaining how they work:
By visually mapping out the potential causes of a problem, fishbone diagrams help teams uncover the root causes, fostering more effective problem-solving efforts.
Fishbone Diagrams and the 5 Whys are effective problem-solving tools, often used in quality control and process improvement. However, they approach the task of identifying the root cause of a problem in slightly different ways.
Fishbone Diagrams, as previously explained, are visual tools that allow teams to brainstorm and organize different categories of potential causes related to a problem. They help teams explore multiple root causes of an issue, and their format encourages comprehensive exploration and prioritization of different possible causes.
The 5 Whys, on the other hand, is a method that involves repeatedly asking the question "Why?" to peel away the layers of an issue until the root cause is revealed. The premise is that asking "why?" five times from the effect of the problem can lead to the root cause, though the number of "whys" can vary depending on the specific problem. The 5 Whys is a straightforward technique that helps pinpoint a single root cause quickly but can oversimplify complex problems with multiple causes.
Fishbone diagrams are excellent for team brainstorming sessions and complex problems where there may be multiple root causes. They allow for visual organization and categorization of potential causes, fostering collective understanding and solution generation.
The 5 Whys method is a faster, simpler technique, best suited for straightforward problems or quickly getting to the heart of a problem. However, it may not fully address problems with multiple root causes or interconnected issues.
In practice, these two methods can be used together. The 5 Whys can be used within each branch of a Fishbone Diagram to dig deeper into each potential cause, thereby combining the comprehensiveness of Fishbone Diagrams with the root cause focus of the 5 Whys.
Creating an Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagram involves systematic brainstorming and organization of potential causes of a problem. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create one:
It's important to remember that creating an Ishikawa Diagram is typically a team effort. Multiple perspectives will offer a more comprehensive exploration of the problem's root causes.
Also, while the Fishbone Diagram helps you identify potential causes, it doesn't help you identify the exact root cause(s). You will need to investigate the identified potential causes further to determine their relevance and impact. Tools like the 5 Whys, Pareto Analysis, or Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) can assist with this next step.
With CMMS software's data management and reporting capabilities, the fishbone diagram becomes a dynamic tool for problem-solving. The software can capture data relevant to each category, and as you dig deeper into the data, it helps illuminate potential root causes hidden within your maintenance operations.
Preventive maintenance lies at the heart of efficient operation management. Fishbone diagrams can be used to examine recurring equipment failures or inefficiencies and consequently improve preventive maintenance schedules. For instance, if 'Machines' repeatedly surface as a cause category for certain issues, it may be time to evaluate and improve preventive maintenance routines for those assets.
When problems persist despite your best efforts, a root cause analysis (RCA) can help resolve the issue. RCA is a methodical approach to problem-solving, and fishbone diagrams provide a framework to identify, explore, and display potential root causes. Using a fishbone diagram alongside your CMMS software lets you draw on historical data to inform your analysis, ultimately leading to more effective problem resolution.
In essence, when used in conjunction with CMMS Software, fishbone diagrams can transform how you approach maintenance problems. They help turn data into actionable insights, improving preventive and predictive maintenance strategies and fostering a proactive maintenance culture. By employing these diagrams, you'll be better equipped to eliminate those pesky maintenance issues.
When the fishbone diagram's power of structured problem-solving meets CMMS software's robust data management capabilities, you're well on your way to a streamlined, efficient maintenance operation.
The best thing about Cryotos CMMS software is that it always tells me when something needs to be fixed - before it breaks and cost me a fortune!
The software is very user-friendly, and even if I don't know how to do something, the support team is always there to help me out.
Most importantly, unlike other such software, Cryotos is editable and hence the user can modify how the software works as per their need, we made several changes in the workflow & flowchart with the help of development team.
I don't know what I would do without Cryotos! I've been using it for years, and it has saved me so much time and money. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to manage their assets efficiently.
Since we've been using Cryotos CMMS Software, our asset maintenance management has been running more smoothly than ever. We're able to track and optimize our preventive maintenance with ease, thanks to the customized process workflow. This has been a lifesaver for our team!
The Cryotos CMMS software has allowed us to manage our assets more effectively and efficiently. It has helped us to improve our asset utilization. The software is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and the support team is always quick to help with any questions we have. We're very happy with the results we've seen so far and we're confident that we'll continue to see improvements in our asset management as we use the Cryotos CMMS software.
Cryotos goes above and beyond when it comes to customer satisfaction. Planys Technologies use Cryotos for preventive/ corrective maintenance of our critical systems and not once did we face a problem that was not dealt with immediately. The team is extremely professional and helpful. We can rely on Cryotos when it comes to the operations and processes.
Thanks to the whole team for the amazing performance and thought leadership. It's rare to see teams that can put themselves in the customer's shoes and think from their perspectives - Cryotos team doesthat and more.
We recommend Cryotos if you are looking to put an end to your preventive maintenance problems and sign up with them!
Thanks to the team for an awesome job.
On behalf of Xpert FMS we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent support Cryotos team have provided us for our building and facility management. Cryotos has always provided support that is timely and meets our expectations. Professionalism and quick response are the hallmarks of this team.
Sincere appreciation for the team's brilliant performance and wish them continued success. We highly recommend Cryotos as they have executed well on all assigned tasks and continue to outperform.
Thanks to all the hard work, our lives have become easier.
We are able to raised the workorder and tracking of these till the closure as helped us to provide better services our beneficiaries. Workflow-based work order management has helped us to define processes for each locations separatley. System provide notification once order is raised for assignment to engineer.
This CMMS software is top-notch! I can't believe how much it has helped me with my facilities maintenance management. Customized reports and business intelligence have been invaluable in making better decisions.
The software offers a great deal of customization for each organization's specific needs. They are always updating the software with new features and improvements, which is great. The support team is fantastic - they are always quick to help with any questions or problems we have. This software has definitely made my life a lot easier! It's so easy to use and it's really helped me keep track of all my maintenance tasks in one place. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a CMMS platform.
Since we've started using Cryotos, our team has been able to stay on top of all the various SOPs. Checklists and safety procedures are now easily accessible to everyone, and we can quickly reference them whenever we need to. The software has definitely helped to improve our team's communication and efficiency. Plus, the fact that it's cloud-based means we can access it from anywhere, which is a big plus. It has been a great help in keeping everyone on the same page and up to date with the latest procedures.
At starting it felt some what difficult for scheduling but now it made to easy access.
Review from Capterra
Overall: Nice Software
Pros: Scheduling, work order creation, asset inventory, records.
Reasons for Choosing Cryotos: Compared to other products it's easy to use and easy to understand the feature.
Review from Capterra
This CMMS software is top-notch! I can't believe how much it has helped me with my facilities maintenance management. Customized reports and business intelligence have been invaluable in making better decisions.
The software offers a great deal of customization for each organization's specific needs. They are always updating the software with new features and improvements, which is great. The support team is fantastic - they are always quick to help with any questions or problems we have. This software has definitely made my life a lot easier! It's so easy to use and it's really helped me keep track of all my maintenance tasks in one place. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a CMMS platform.
I recently purchased Cryotos CMMS Software for asset management needs at my organization and after a few months of testing and monitoring, I'm incredibly pleased with the results. The software is user friendly, accessible and the design is very intuitive. It covers all the aspects of managing maintenance and repair, starting from preventive maintenance and standardizing operation cycles, to scheduling and streamlining workflows. I am highly satisfied with the performance and the range of features offered by Cryotos. Highly recommendable!
Before using Cryotos, asset management and maintenance seemed like an uphill task for my team. Manual processes laden with human errors did not work for us at all. We decided to go with Cryotos after checking out similar products in the market.
The user interface of the software is intuitive and easy to use, making it simple to navigate through the different features and functionalities. I particularly appreciate the ability to track all assets in real-time, allowing me to keep a close eye on their performance and maintenance needs.
Customized work order and workflow creation has reduced the needs to always follow a particular template. Depending on our needs we can create tailor made workflows to suit our requirements.
I highly recommend Cryotos to anyone who would like to unburden themselves of maintaining and managing their critical assets.
As a customer of Cryotos CMMS software for asset management needs, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with the features and functionality offered by the platform. Cryotos CMMS software has made managing my assets a breeze, and I no longer have to worry about missing maintenance or inspections.
One of the standout features of Cryotos CMMS software is the ability to generate work orders and schedule maintenance tasks. This has made it easy for me to stay on top of maintenance and repair tasks, ensuring that my assets are always in optimal condition.
The software also allows me to track inventory levels which has streamlined my inventory management process. The ability to generate reports and analyze asset performance data has also been invaluable in helping me make data-driven decisions about my assets. Overall, I would highly recommend Cryotos CMMS software to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient asset management solution.
