The "6M" in a fishbone diagram, also known as an Ishikawa diagram, represents six categories often used to identify potential causes of a problem. According to the reference, these categories are:
- Manpower
- Materials
- Methods
- Machines
- Measurement
- Environment (Mother Nature)
These categories are used as a starting point to brainstorm and organize potential causes of a problem, helping to identify root causes effectively. The 6Ms are especially useful in manufacturing or industrial settings.
