Create A Cause And Effect Diagram: There's Always The Chance

Create A Cause And Effect Diagramtheres Always The Chance

Project 5 – Create A Cause-and-Effect Diagram

There's always the chance that something will go wrong, a stakeholder wants something different, technology doesn't work as planned, and what you are working on becomes outdated. The Ishikawa Diagram (Fishbone Diagram) is a tool that can be used to help in the analysis of what is going wrong. Take a look at your project and refer back to Figure 7-2 or the internet and create a diagram that lists a potential issue you may have and look at the components of what you would look at to address it. Here are a couple of websites in addition to your text that you can refer to:

Paper For Above instruction

The creation of a cause-and-effect diagram, commonly known as a Fishbone Diagram, is an essential tool in project management, especially when diagnosing problems or exploring potential issues that could impact the success of a project. This diagram visually maps out all conceivable causes of a specific problem, enabling project managers and teams to identify root causes systematically and develop targeted solutions.

For this assignment, I selected a potential issue in a software development project—namely, frequent software crashes during deployment. This problem, if unresolved, can severely delay project timelines and compromise client satisfaction. The Fishbone Diagram will help us analyze various contributing factors that could be responsible for this issue.

Main Problem/Effect

Frequent software crashes during deployment

Major Cause Categories

• Methods: Inadequate testing procedures, lack of standardized deployment protocols.
• Machine/Technology: Outdated hardware, software incompatibilities, poor coding practices.
• Materials: Use of third-party libraries with known bugs, incomplete code modules.
• Manpower: Insufficient skill levels among developers, inadequate training, staffing shortages.
• Management: Poor project planning, lack of communication, unrealistic deadlines.
• Environment: Network instability, power fluctuations, incompatible operating environments.

Analysis of Causes

Under the category of Methods, inadequate testing procedures can lead to undiscovered bugs that manifest during deployment, causing crashes. Implementation of comprehensive testing protocols, including unit, integration, and user acceptance testing, can mitigate this risk. Additionally, the absence of standardized deployment protocols can create inconsistent environments, leading to errors during deployment phases.

Technological issues such as outdated hardware and software incompatibilities can significantly impact system stability. For example, deploying software on legacy systems that do not meet the software requirements can result in crashes. Regular updates to hardware and ensuring compatibility with current software versions are critical measures to prevent such issues.

Materials, particularly third-party libraries, can introduce bugs if they are outdated or have unresolved issues. Conducting thorough vetting of third-party components and maintaining a repository of verified libraries can help in reducing surprises during deployment.

Manpower factors include the skill level and training of developers. Insufficient training can lead to coding errors and oversight of potential issues—addressed by continuous professional development and code reviews. Staffing shortages may also lead to rushed testing and deployment, increasing the likelihood of errors.

Management-related causes stem from poor planning and communication lapses. Realistic project timelines, clear communication channels, and stakeholder engagement ensure that potential issues are surfaced early in the development cycle.

Environmental factors like network instability or power fluctuations during deployment can disrupt the process, causing crashes or data corruption. Ensuring a stable, controlled environment—such as using uninterruptible power supplies and secure networks—can prevent these problems.

Implementation of Preventive Measures

Based on this analysis, a strategic approach involves several integrated actions: implementing rigorous testing protocols, updating hardware and software, vetting third-party libraries, investing in developer training, improving project management practices, and ensuring a stable deployment environment. These steps, when combined, create a robust framework that minimizes the risk of crashes and enhances overall project success.

Conclusion

Creating a Fishbone Diagram provides a structured way to analyze complex problems like software crashes during deployment. By systematically examining major cause categories—methods, technology, materials, manpower, management, and environment—project teams can identify root causes and address them proactively. This holistic approach improves the likelihood of successful project delivery and mitigates future risks associated with potential failures.

References

1. Ishikawa, K. (1982). Guide to Quality Control. Asian Productivity Organization.
2. George, M. L., Rowlands, D., Price, M., & Maxey, J. (2005). The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook. McGraw-Hill.
3. Pyzdek, T., & Keller, P. (2014). The Six Sigma Handbook. McGraw-Hill Education.
4. Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1996). Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System. Harvard Business Review, 74(1), 75-85.
5. Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
6. Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
7. PMI. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Project Management Institute.
8. Juran, J. M., & Godfrey, A. B. (1999). Juran's Quality Handbook. McGraw-Hill.
9. Garvin, D. A. (1988). Managing Quality: The Strategic and Competitive Edge. Harvard Business Review, 66(3), 115-121.
10. Deming, W. E. (1986). Out of the Crisis. MIT Press.