Hierarchy Plus Hierarchy Plus Input-Process-Input-Process-Output ChartsOutput Charts

(HIPO)(HIPO)

• Developed by IBM as a tool and documentation technique which attempts to:– Provide a structure by which the

function of a system can be understood.– State the functions to be accomplished.– Provide a visual description of the input,

process and output for each function.

Purpose:Purpose: • to define procedures and operations in a

hierarchical manner, correlating input, processing, and output steps with the integrated whole expressed in the hierarchy diagram.

• A HIPO package consists of a hierarchy chart and IPO overview diagram and IPO detail diagram: Hierarchy Chart acts as a hierarchical chart for the function

performed by the system. IPO overview diagram – shows a general sequence of inputs, major processing

functions, and outputs. IPO Detailed Diagram– shows a detailed sequence of inputs, shows a detailed

sequence of inputs, major processing functions, and outputs.

HIPO DiagramHIPO Diagram

IPO overview diagramIPO overview diagram

IPO Detailed DiagramIPO Detailed Diagram

Ishikawa DiagramIshikawa Diagram• also known as Fishbone Diagram, Cause and

Effect Diagram or Root Cause Analysis. • is a tool used for systematically identifying and

presenting all the possible causes of a particular problem in graphical format.  The possible causes are presented at various levels of detail in connected branches, with the level of detail increasing as the branch goes outward, i.e., an outer branch is a cause of the inner branch it is attached to.  Thus, the outermost branches usually indicate the root causes of the problem.

• The Ishikawa Diagram resembles a fishbone (hence the alternative name "Fishbone Diagram") - it has a box (the 'fish head') that contains the statement of the problem at one end of the diagram.  From this box originates the main branch (the 'fish spine') of the diagram.  Sticking out of this main branch are major branches that categorize the causes according to their nature.

• How to Construct: 1.Place the main problem under

investigation in a box on the right. 2.Have the team generate and clarify all the

potential sources of variation. 3.Use an affinity diagram to sort the process

variables into naturally related groups. The labels of these groups are the names

for the major bones on the Ishikawa diagram. 4.Place the process variables on the

appropriate bones of the Ishikawa diagram. 5.Combine each bone in turn, insuring that

the process variables are specific, measurable, and controllable.

Other Example:Other Example: