Calculator Library / Lean Six Sigma Analysis
Organize potential causes of a problem across the 6M categories, see them rendered as a live fishbone diagram, then print or export the result for a team meeting or root cause report.
Live Tool
6Ms: Method, Machine, Material, Manpower, Measurement, Environment
Word and Google Docs exports download an HTML document. Excel exports an `.xls` worksheet, and Google Sheets exports a CSV file that can be imported into Sheets.
Preview
Start with a clear, specific effect statement — the problem being investigated, not the category of problem. Then add potential causes under each of the six branches. Not every category needs the same number of causes; some problems are dominated by one or two categories, and that's a useful signal in itself.
| Category | Typical Causes |
|---|---|
| Method | Missing or unclear work instructions, inconsistent procedure, no standard sequence. |
| Machine | Worn tooling, miscalibrated equipment, inadequate preventive maintenance. |
| Material | Supplier lot variation, incoming inspection gaps, incorrect specification. |
| Manpower | Incomplete training, unclear responsibility, shift handoff gaps. |
| Measurement | Unverified gage accuracy, inconsistent measurement method, sampling gaps. |
| Environment | Temperature or humidity swings, lighting, noise, workspace layout. |
Use Print / Save PDF to open the browser print dialog and save the finished diagram as a PDF. Use the Word and Excel buttons when you need an editable file for Microsoft Office. Use the Google Doc and Google Sheet buttons when you need a file that can be uploaded or imported into Google Drive.
A fishbone diagram organizes potential causes of a problem into major categories branching off a central spine that points to the effect being investigated.
Method, Machine, Material, Manpower, Measurement, and Environment -- six standard categories used to organize potential causes.
Yes. This tool supports print or save-as-PDF, Word-compatible HTML, Excel-compatible spreadsheet output, Google Docs-compatible HTML, and Google Sheets-compatible CSV, all generated in your browser.