How to use the Ishikawa Diagram in the cause analysis of an occurrence in Qualiex?

1. Access the module

Click here to learn how to access the Occurrences module in Qualiex.

2. Locating the occurrence

Click the Occurrences tab, then right‑click the desired occurrence or open the context menu

and select “View.”

To perform the cause analysis of an occurrence, you must be either the person responsible for the occurrence or the person responsible for the cause‑analysis stage.

When you open the occurrence, the system automatically directs you to the current step that needs to be completed.

3. Adding the cause‑analysis tool

In the Cause Analysis step, click “Add Analysis” to choose which tool will be used.

A screen will open for you to select which analysis tool will be used:

Analysis Tool (required): you can choose between Ishikawa Diagram, Tree Diagram, or 5 Whys.

To select the tool, click , then choose “Ishikawa Diagram / Cause and Effect.”
Title (optional): you may define a title for the tool.
Problem (required): this field will automatically be filled with the occurrence title, but you may complement or completely modify it.

Click “Add” to include the tool.

The available and mandatory tools depend on the module’s configuration. Click here to learn more.

With the tool added, you will see the “fishbone” structure, which is composed of the following categories:

Machine
Materials
Manpower
Environment
Method
Measurement

Click here to learn more about the Ishikawa Diagram methodology.(placeholder)

Select the desired category to add a sub‑cause, and click “Add.”

The following fields will be displayed:

Cause: the category where the sub‑cause is being added.

Problem: this field is automatically filled with the problem defined when the analysis tool was added.

Sub‑cause: a text field used to describe one of the sub‑causes identified for the selected category (e.g., Machine).

Possible root cause: if, during the analysis, this sub‑cause is considered a potential root cause, you can mark it as a Possible root cause.

Root cause: if the analysis confirms that this sub‑cause is indeed the root cause, you can enable this field.

After completing the information, click “Add.”

Repeat the process until the root cause is found, filling in all categories or only those necessary for the analysis.

Remember: if the module settings have the mandatory completion option enabled, the tool is considered complete only when at least one root cause has been identified.

Once the categories are filled in, the diagram is complete.

More tool options

You can edit the diagram, the problem, and the sub‑causes that have been added.

Click to collapse or expand the tool view.
In the tool’s context menu , the following options are available:
- Edit: Change the name of the tool.

- Remove: Delete the diagram.

In the category’s context menu , the following options are available:
- Edit: Modify the name of the category.
- Remove: Delete the corresponding category.

In the sub‑cause’s context menu , the following options are available:
- Edit: Modify the identified sub‑cause.
- Remove: Delete the corresponding sub‑cause.
- Mark as possible root cause.
- Mark as root cause.

Having difficulty using the Ishikawa methodology? Click here to learn more.(placeholder)