cause-effect diagram
📖 ISTQB Glossary
Official ISTQB Definition
A graphical representation used to organize and display the interrelationships of various possible root causes of a problem. Possible causes of a real or potential defect or failure are organized in categories and subcategories in a horizontal tree-structure, with the (potential) defect or failure as the root node.
3 Ways to Think About It
The Quick Take
A diagram showing potential causes of a problem - fishbone/Ishikawa diagram.
Look Closer
Visual root cause analysis organized by category.
The Bottom Line
Brainstorming tool for identifying what might cause defects.
Practice this term with quizzes and arcade games
Study with Lexicon →