ANALISIS FISHBONE SEBAGAI METODE IDENTIFIKASI AKAR MASALAH DALAM MANAJEMEN MUTU: TELAAH TEORITIS DAN IMPLIKASI PRAKTIS

AbstractQuality improvement across various organizational sectors requiressystematic and accurate methods for identifying root causes ofproblems. Inaccurate problem identification may lead to ineffectiveand unsustainable solutions. One widely used tool in qualitymanagement is the Fishbone Diagram, also known as the IshikawaDiagram, which visually and structurally maps cause-and-effectrelationships. This article aims to comprehensively examine theFishbone Diagram as a root cause identification method in qualitymanagement, while also analyzing its implementation variations,strengths, and limitations across different sectors. This study adoptsa qualitative approach using a literature review method by examiningrelevant national and international scientific publications. Data wereanalyzed through a descriptive-analytical approach to identifypatterns of Fishbone Diagram usage, classification of causalcategories, and existing research gaps. The findings indicate that theFishbone Diagram is a flexible and effective preliminary tool forquality improvement processes, as it supports systematic andcollaborative problem analysis. However, several limitations remain,including subjective interpretation, lack of empirical validation, andthe absence of standardized causal categories applicable acrosssectors. Therefore, this article emphasizes the importance ofcontextual adaptation of Fishbone categories and integration withother analytical methods to enhance result accuracy. This study isexpected to contribute both theoretically and practically by providingguidance for researchers and practitioners in applying the FishboneDiagram more effectively within quality management frameworks.Keywords: Fishbone Diagram, root cause analysis, qualitymanagement, literature review