A fishbone diagram depicts the cause-and-effect relationship of a situation or problem. It is typically presented in a pictorial format. That makes it easier to understand the root cause for taking remedial steps.
It is possible to create a fishbone diagram in Microsoft Word using various shapes. Unfortunately, there is no built-in template in Word to create fishbone diagrams.
We will show you simple, step-by-step instructions for creating a fishbone diagram in MS Word.
Let us begin.
Step #1: Open an MS Word document
Open a new or existing Word document.
Navigate to the page where you want to build your fishbone diagram.
Step #2: Create a title
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the Basic Shapes section, click on the Text Box icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor towards the top of the page and drag it to form a text box.
Change the text inside to a suitable title.
Select the text by and change it to a suitable font and size.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the position and size of the box.
Step #3: Create the spine
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the section Block Arrows, click on the Right Arrow icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor in the middle of the page and drag it to the right to form a long spine.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the position and size of the shape.
Step #4: Create the bones
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the section Block Arrows, click on the Down Arrow icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor above the spine and drag it down to form a bone.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the shape’s angle, position, and size.
Click to select the bone shape.
Press CTRL+C on your keyboard to copy the shape.
Press CTRL+V on your keyboard to paste a copy of the shape.
Position the shapes conveniently using handles.
Repeat these steps to paste as many bone shapes as you want.
Step #5: Create the effect text box
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the section Basic Shapes, click on the Text Box icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor near the head of the spine and drag it to form a text box.
Change the text inside to a suitable effect.
Select the text and change it to a suitable font and size.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the position and size of the box.
Step #6: Create the main cause text box
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the section Basic Shapes, click on the Text Box icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor near the top of a bone and drag it to form a text box.
Change the text inside to a suitable main cause.
Select the text and change to a suitable font and size.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the position and size of the box.
Click to select the main cause box.
Press CTRL+C on your keyboard to copy the text box.
Press CTRL+V on your keyboard to paste a copy of the box.
Position the box conveniently.
Repeat these steps to create as many main cause boxes as you want.
Rename them appropriately.
Step #7: Create the sub-cause text boxes
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the section Basic Shapes, click on the Text Box icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor under one of the main cause boxes and drag it to form a text box.
Change the text inside to a suitable sub-cause.
Select the text and change it to a suitable font and size.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the position and size of the box.
Click to select the sub-cause box.
Right-click to open a menu.
Click on the Outline icon.
This opens the Colors menu.
Under Standard Colors, click and select No Outline.
The border around the sub-cause box will vanish.
Click on the sub-cause box again.
Press CTRL+C on your keyboard to copy the text box.
Press CTRL+V on your keyboard to paste a copy of the box.
Position the box conveniently.
Repeat these steps to create as many sub-causes as you want.
Rename them appropriately.
Step #8: Create sub-cause pointers
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens the Shapes menu.
In the section Block Arrows, click on the Right Arrow icon.
(As you hover your mouse over each icon, the name will be revealed.)
Once you click on the icon, the Shapes menu will disappear, and your cursor will change to a cross.
Place the cursor under a sub-cause and drag it to the right to form a pointer.
Use handles at the edges to change the position and size of the shape.
Click on the shape.
Press CTRL+C on your keyboard to copy the shape.
Press CTRL+V on your keyboard to paste a copy of the shape.
Paste pointers below all sub-causes.
Use handles at the edges, shown in red below, to change the position and size of the pointer.
Repeat the above steps to create as many pointers as needed.
The finished fishbone diagram looks like this:
Conclusion
We have shown you a simple method of creating a fishbone diagram in MS Word. Feel free to use other shapes and colors to create innovative fishbone diagrams.
Wow, this process is extremely detailed. Thank you for your help!