Reverse Fishbone Diagram Purpose The fishbone diagram is most commonly used to identify all of the potential causes of a problem. If reversed, it can be used to help a team make a decision about which of multiple actions to take when faced with more than one option. The reverse fishbone provides a framework for systematically working through each of the options and identifying and discussing all of the effects that particular option may have on a system or program. The options a team has to work with may have come from a brainstorming session, or another method that is used to generate ideas to support problem-solving. Methods The basic fishbone situates the problem on the far right on the and the each “spine” “bones” represent a potential cause of the problem. With the reverse fishbone, the diagram itself may first be reversed (to differentiate it more clearly from the cause-driven, basic fishbone) with the idea or option on the far left on the spine. The bones, now to the right, become the anticipated effects of that particular option. In the example a team has brainstormed ideas for explaining why their program’s parent satisfaction survey results are low. Not all domains of the survey are low. Answers to questions from two domains in particular are lowest: bridging school-to-home to support learning, and ease of communicating with the program about children’s progress or behavior. The team suspects that solutions might address both domains as they are intertwined. In their brainstorming session, the team comes up with four options for addressing the low parent satisfaction in these two related areas: Hire two program communication leads who are available at the beginning and end of each day to offer in-person opportunities to touch-base with parents about how children are doing. These staff can also develop home activity packets that reflect current lessons being taught each week that can be sent home with each child the Friday before. Change curriculums. The current curriculum lacks adequate content and supports for creating the bridge from the program to home learning and there are others on the market that are better in this area. Offer more parent nights that focus on one key aspect of current lessons over dinner. These events will provide parents with background on what children are currently learning in the classroom and the specific ways they can reinforce those activities at home. Parent nights are currently held once per calendar quarter. This option would increase frequency to once per month.
Reverse Fishbone Diagram Purpose The fishbone diagram is most commonly used to identify all of the potential causes of a problem. If reversed, it can be used to help a team make a decision about which of multiple actions to take when faced with more than one option. The reverse fishbone provides a framework for systematically working through each of the options and identifying and discussing all of the effects that particular option may have on a system or program. The options a team has to work with may have come from a brainstorming session, or another method that is used to generate ideas to support problem-solving. Methods The basic fishbone situates the problem on the far right on the “spine” and the “bones” each represent a potential cause of the problem. With the reverse fishbone, the diagram itself may first be reversed (to differentiate it more clearly from the cause-driven, basic fishbone) with the idea or option on the far left on the spine. The bones, now to the right, become the anticipated effects of that particular option. In the example a team has brainstormed ideas for explaining why their program’s parent satisfaction survey results are low. Not all domains of the survey are low. Answers to questions from two domains in particular are lowest: bridging school-to-home to support learning, and ease of communicating with the program about children’s progress or behavior. The team suspects that solutions might address both domains as they are intertwined. In their brainstorming session, the team comes up with four options for addressing the low parent satisfaction in these two related areas: Hire two program communication leads who are available at the beginning and end of each day to offer in-person opportunities to touch-base with parents about how children are doing. These staff can also develop home activity packets that reflect current lessons being taught each week that can be sent home with each child the Friday before. Change curriculums. The current curriculum lacks adequate content and supports for creating the bridge from the program to home learning and there are others on the market that are better in this area. Offer more parent nights that focus on one key aspect of current lessons over dinner. These events will provide parents with background on what children are currently learning in the classroom and the specific ways they can reinforce those activities at home. Parent nights are currently held once per calendar quarter. This option would increase frequency to once per month.
SOLUTIONS&DECMAKING_RevFishbone_9.2.16.docx