Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

Which quality pioneer created the fishbone diagram?

1. W. Edward Deming

2. Philip B. Crosby

3. Kaoru Ishikawa

4. Armand V. Feigenbaum

The correct answer is: Kaoru Ishikawa

The fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa diagram, was developed by Kaoru Ishikawa. This diagram is a visual tool used to identify, explore, and display the possible causes of a specific problem, making it particularly useful in quality management and improvement efforts. Ishikawa introduced this diagram to help teams focus on identifying root causes of quality issues, facilitating brainstorming and structured discussion. Ishikawa's contributions go beyond just the fishbone diagram. He emphasized the importance of quality control and the role of every employee in the quality process, advocating for a comprehensive approach to quality management. This method became instrumental in various industries for enhancing quality analysis and problem-solving techniques. The other pioneers mentioned have made significant contributions to the field of quality management but did not create the fishbone diagram. Each is known for their own distinct methodologies and tools contributing to quality improvement in their own right. However, it is Ishikawa who is specifically credited with the creation of this important quality tool.