What is the term for a problem-analysis tool that identifies possible factors affecting an outcome?

The term for a problem-analysis tool that identifies possible factors affecting an outcome is a Cause-and-Effect Diagram. This tool, often referred to as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is used to systematically explore and display the various potential causes of a specific problem.

By breaking down the causes into categories such as materials, methods, machines, manpower, measurements, and environment, users can visually map out the relationships between causes and effects. This structured approach helps teams understand the complexities of issues, identify root causes more effectively, and ultimately develop solutions to improve quality and performance. The purpose of the Cause-and-Effect Diagram is to promote critical thinking and collaboration among team members, leading to a more comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing outcomes.

Other options like Design of Experiments focus more on experimental frameworks for understanding relationships between variables than on analyzing existing problems, while Closed-Loop Process pertains to continuous improvement loops in systems. Effectiveness Check typically assesses the performance of a process after it has been implemented rather than analyzing potential causes beforehand.