Free Root Cause Analysis Fishbone Diagram Template for PowerPoint & Google Slides

Description

Leverage this dynamic root cause analysis fishbone slide to uncover and visually organize underlying factors that contribute to a problem or effect. This fully editable template features a central arrow leading to the “Effect” outcome, with six color-coded branches representing Management, Man, Method, Machine, Measurement, and Material. Each branch begins with a vibrant hexagonal icon housing a clear label, and connects via dotted lines to placeholder text markers where users can insert specific cause statements. The clean white background, subtle drop shadows, and flat modern shapes create a professional canvas that aligns seamlessly with corporate branding or startup aesthetics.

Designed for maximum flexibility, this slide uses master layouts for rapid customization of colors, fonts, and branch order. Replace icons or adjust text placeholders in seconds without disrupting alignment. The balanced fishbone structure promotes logical analysis by grouping related causes under standardized 6M categories, ensuring that teams can systematically drill down into each contributing factor. Optimized for both PowerPoint and Google Slides, the slide preserves high fidelity across devices, preventing formatting issues and speeding up version control.

Switch between light and dark backgrounds or apply custom color themes to match brand guidelines effortlessly. The intuitive branch connectors and uniform iconography further enhance readability, ensuring audiences concentrate on insights instead of slide mechanics.

Who is it for

Quality managers, process improvement teams, Six Sigma practitioners, project managers, engineers, and consultants can leverage this fishbone slide to drive systematic root cause investigations and deliver data-driven solutions.

Other Uses

This slide can also be repurposed for failure mode and effects analysis, risk and compliance audits, 5 Whys workshops, brainstorming sessions, and operational reviews to identify and address underlying issues across functions.