CPIM Practice Exam

What feature distinguishes a cause-and-effect diagram?

1. It shows customer satisfaction trends

2. It resembles a fish skeleton

3. It visually represents financial data

4. It captures real-time data

The correct answer is: It resembles a fish skeleton

The distinguishing feature of a cause-and-effect diagram is its resemblance to a fish skeleton, which is commonly referred to as a "fishbone diagram." This visual tool is used to systematically identify and present the various causes of a particular problem or effect, with the main spine representing the problem and the bones branching off representing different categories of causes. This structural form helps teams analyze root causes in a clear and organized manner. In contrast to the other options, this diagram does not focus on customer satisfaction trends, financial data, or real-time data. While these aspects can be important in various analyses or reports, the key characteristic of the cause-and-effect diagram is its design and methodology for problem-solving and brainstorming sessions, making it particularly valuable in quality management and continuous improvement initiatives.