What type of analysis tool provides a graphical outline representing the potential causes of a problem?

The fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect diagram, is designed specifically to identify and analyze the root causes of a problem. It visually represents the relationship between a problem and its potential causes, organized into categories. This graphical outline resembles the skeleton of a fish, where the problem is represented at the head, and the causes are laid out along the "bones" branching off the spine. This structure helps teams brainstorm and categorize possible reasons for a specific issue systematically, making it an effective tool for problem-solving and quality improvement within various processes.

In contrast, a flowchart provides a visual representation of a process or workflow, outlining steps in sequential order rather than focusing on identifying causes. A mind map facilitates brainstorming and organizes information in a non-linear manner around a central concept, which is not specifically designed to analyze causes of a problem. SWOT analysis is used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a situation or project but does not provide a detailed graphical outline of causes leading to an issue.