Systems analysts must have expertise in problem analysis. When systems analysts are starting out, they often find it difficult to differentiate symptoms from problems and to identify the actual causes of the problem. One tool that can help analysts learn to do this is the Ishikawa, or fishbone, diagram.

a. Find and select a problem that your organization, school, or other organization is currently attempting to resolve. Describe this problem.

b. Follow the process described and create an Ishikawa diagram.

c. Which categories did you start with in the diagram, and which categories did you add during the process?

d. Did this diagram help in finding the actual cause(s) of the problem? Did the cause(s)

turn out to be what you originally thought, or something different?