Fishbone diagrams, also known as Ishikawa diagrams or cause-and-effect diagrams, are a visual tool for organizing potential causes for a specific problem or effect. They help identify root causes by sorting possible causes into categories such as methods, materials, machines, people, measurements, and environment. To create a fishbone diagram, the problem is written at the head and main categories of causes are listed as bones extending from the head. Potential specific causes are then listed branching off from each category bone. The diagram can identify root causes and areas for further investigation through a visual representation of the interrelationships between various causes and effects.