ADKAR: Navigating Change Management | Knowledge TrainKübler-Ross Change Curve | Knowledge TrainFishbone Diagram Technique

Navigating the change curve for successful transitions

The Kubler Ross model is known as the change curve.

Manufacturing sectors use them to identify and address production process inefficienciesHealthcare organisations use them to improve patient care by analysing procedural issues

Service industries

use them to enhance customer satisfaction by resolving service concerns.In essence, fishbone diagrams not only aid in identifying the root causes of problems but also promote a culture of systematic analysis and continuous improvement. By applying this method, organisations can ensure that they address issues comprehensively, leading to more effective and lasting solutions.Understanding fishbone diagram components

Basic structure of a fishbone diagram

fishbone diagram

is a visual tool that helps teams identify and categorise the root causes of a problem. The diagram resembles the skeleton of a fish, making it intuitive and straightforward to use. At the ‘head’ of the diagram, you place the

problem statement

– the issue that needs addressing. This serves as the focal point of the analysis.

Branching off from the spine are the ‘bones,’ which represent potential

causes

of the problem. These are organised into various categories, allowing teams to explore different angles of the issue systematically. Each ‘bone’ signifies a distinct cause or factor, and further branching can detail sub-causes. This structured layout not only clarifies complex problems but also encourages comprehensive brainstorming and analysis.

Categories in fishbone diagrams

Standard categories

Fishbone diagrams

often use standard categories to organise potential causes, especially in quality management and engineering contexts. These categories help ensure a comprehensive analysis by covering different aspects of the problem. Commonly used categories include:

Methods

: Processes or procedures that might contribute to the issueMaterials: Raw materials or components involved in the process

Machines

: Equipment or tools used, which might have faults or limitations

Manpower

: Human factors, such as skills, training, or motivationMeasurements: Data or metrics that might be inaccurate or misleading

Environment

: External conditions or settings that could affect outcomes.These categories offer teams a structured approach to explore potential causes.Custom categories

While standard categories are useful, organisations often benefit from tailoring categories to their specific needs or industries. Custom categories allow teams to focus on the unique aspects of their problem domain. For instance, a software development team might include categories like

user experience or software architecture

. Meanwhile, a retail business might focus on

customer feedback or supply chain

.

The flexibility to customise categories ensures that the fishbone diagram remains relevant and effective for any given context. By adapting the diagram to suit their specific needs, organisations can enhance the accuracy and usefulness of their analysis, leading to more targeted and effective solutions.Enhance your skills with our expert-led courses

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Kubler Ross Change Curve Infographic.

Kanban systemKanoBack to top

lead time/cycle time

While these terms sometimes generate different interpretations within the Kanban community, they essentially refer to the duration a work item spends moving through the system or timebox. Hence, although their specific interpretations can vary, they fundamentally represent the same concept.LeanAn approach that emphasizes process improvement by maximizing value and eliminating waste, such as unproductive time and effort.

Lean StartupInitially a strategy for creating and managing startup companies, it’s now applied to all types of businesses to help quickly deliver products to customers.level of quality

The comprehensive quality level of a product, as defined by the project product description (customer’s quality expectations and acceptance criteria).

minimum viable product (MVP)Within a PRINCE2 Agile context, the term MVP generally aligns with the Lean Startup perspective that it is a ‘form of the final product that enables maximum validated learning with minimal effort’. This shouldn’t be confused with the project’s overall viability. Typically, an MVP would be delivered as soon as possible during the project. An MVP is about learning and may not be operationally used; it could take the form of a simple experiment or prototype.MoSCoW

A technique used to classify items such as requirements or tasks into one of the four following categories based on how they relate to a deadline:

Guiding your team through change using the Satir change model

– Should have

– Won’t have for now.

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Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)A four-stage cycle for process management, attributed to W. Edwards Deming. Plan-Do-Check-Act, also known as the Deming Cycle, involves the following stages: Plan (design or revise processes that support the IT services); Do (implement the plan and manage the processes); Check (measure the processes and IT services, compare with objectives, and produce reports); Act (plan and implement changes to improve the processes).

product owner

Specialist: CDS These tools ensure that employees have the required knowledge to succeed. This role involves the management of the product backlog. The person in this role ensures maximum value is extracted from the backlog by ordering and prioritizing it.

3-day ITIL Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support (CDS) course. Element 4: AbilitySimon Buehringproduct roadmapIT Learning Library (ITLL)™ The 19 Feb 2026This document or visual aid displays the proposed development pathway for a product. Typically, it’s a long-term plan spanning several months or even years. While it exists outside the project context, it may trigger project work.BUSINESS LEARNING LIBRARY (BLL)™ Ability project kick-off

Agile Learning Library (ALL)™ element represents the actual execution of the change – turning knowledge into action. Whilst Knowledge is about understanding how to change, Ability is about demonstrating performance in real-world conditions. This element often requires time for practice, coaching, and feedback as people develop proficiency in new skills or behaviours. Success in this element is measured by actual performance rather than just completing training. Typically, a singular event where visioning activities occur, and the team comes together for the first time. Preparation is crucial to use time as effectively as possible during this event, which may include one or more workshops.

Navigating organisational change successfully with Kotter’s model

Compliance Learning Library (CLL)™ Developing ability involves: A prototype is a preliminary model of something, created to test or validate an idea, or to better understand a situation (like the customer’s needs). It could either evolve into an actual product or be discarded after use.

: Conduct real-world exercises to build confidence. A method of operation where work is initiated or ‘pulled’ from upstream as and when capacity is available. In Kanban systems, which are pull systems, the availability of capacity and the ability to pull work is indicated by the gap between current work in progress and the corresponding limit.

Simon BuehringFeedback loops push system

19 Feb 2026: Provide constructive feedback to refine skills. The practice of assigning work to a system or activity without considering its available capacity. _blankSupportive environment Back to top

Explore Kotter's 8-step model to navigate organisational change effectively. Understand each phase and enhance your transformation strategy. Keep reading to refine your change management skills.Blog: Create a culture that encourages experimentation and learning. release

Training and support systems A set of products included in a handover, managed, tested, and deployed as a single entity.

EXPLORE SUBJECTSTraining and support systems are vital for ability development: requirement ls. By addressing these root causes, the company successfully reduced complaints and improved overall service quality. These case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of fishbone diagrams in solving real-world problems across diverse sectors.Select your preferred subject.Ongoing training A description of what a product will do and/or how it will do it. A requirement can also be expressed as a user story. Common challenges and solutions : Offer continuous learning opportunities. retrospective

Challenges in using fishbone diagramsPROJECT MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS & WORKSHOPSAccess to resources A routine event that reviews and improves the process of work execution. It promotes continuous improvement in alignment with agile principles.

Is Change Management the course for you? incomplete cause identification Peer support SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)

Simon Buehring category overlapSelect your preferred training course below:These systems bolster the ability to adapt successfully. safe-to-fail

23 Feb 2026, where causes are placed in multiple categories, leading to confusion and redundancy. These challenges can hinder the effectiveness of the diagram and compromise the analysis.Simon Buehring Element 5: Reinforcement An experiment designed with such safeguards that even in the event of failure, the impact on the overall system or plan remains minimal.

Solutions and best practices23 Feb 2026APM COURSESThe ScrumThinking about change management training? Learn what these courses involve and decide if it’s the right fit for you by reading further.To overcome these challenges, teams should employ several strategies. For Select your preferred training course below:ReinforcementCopied!An iterative approach to product delivery that provides a framework to address complex, adaptive problems while creatively and efficiently delivering products of maximum value.

comprehensive cause identificationThinking about change management training? Learn what these courses involve and decide if it’s the right fit for you by reading further. element ensures that changes are sustained over time.Key takeawaysScrum master

, include team members from different departments in the brainstorming process. This ensures a broad range of perspectives and reduces the likelihood of missing critical causes. To address AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSESSustaining changeFishbone diagrams help teams move from symptoms to root causes with a clear, shared view of the problem.A role in Scrum responsible for ensuring that the Scrum principles, practices, and rules are understood and followed by the team.

category overlap Select your preferred training course below:To sustain change:Define a precise problem statement first, as it determines the focus and usefulness of the analysis.Scrumban , establish clear definitions for each category before starting the analysis. This clarity helps in appropriately categorising causes and minimises redundancy. Additionally, regular reviews of the diagram during the analysis process can help identify and rectify any overlaps or omissions, enhancing the diagram’s overall effectiveness. Celebrate successesBrainstorm widely with cross-functional characters to reduce blind spots and incomplete cause lists.The application of Kanban principles and practices within a Scrum context.