Definition
Move the fishbone diagram from the meeting room to the team's shop floor and keep it changing every day—causes become cards that can be stuck and removed (left fact card, right improvement card, paired one-to-one), the fish head displays the target line and actual performance curve; once effective, remove the card and write it into the standard work.
In detail
The Card-based Cause-and-Effect Diagram (CEDAC) adds removable cards to a cause-and-effect diagram so team members can participate continuously in problem solving. It addresses the static nature and low participation of a conventional fishbone diagram. Unlike an ordinary cause-and-effect diagram, CEDAC stays visible at the workplace and evolves as evidence and countermeasures are added. Outputs include a living cause-and-effect diagram, improvement cards, and a problem-solving record.
Example in practice
Use CEDAC when a persistent production-floor quality problem requires participation from the whole team. For example, an injection-molding area can create a CEDAC board for shrinkage defects, allowing employees to post observed causes and improvement ideas as they arise. The team reviews the cards regularly and converts validated countermeasures into standard work, reducing the defect and increasing employee involvement.