What is another name for a cause and effect diagram used in quality management?

A cause and effect diagram is commonly known as a fishbone diagram due to its visual resemblance to a fish skeleton, where the "bones" represent different factors contributing to a single cause. This tool is particularly useful in quality management as it helps teams identify and analyze the root causes of problems by categorizing potential causes related to specific issues. The structure of the diagram allows for a systematic exploration of various categories of potential causes, fostering team brainstorming sessions and discussions.

In contrast, a flowchart visually represents a process or sequence of steps, making it useful for analyzing workflows but not specifically for cause-and-effect relationships. A histogram is a graphical representation of data distribution and does not relate to identifying causes, while a Pareto chart is a bar graph that indicates the frequency of issues or problems, highlighting the most significant factors but not delving into the cause-and-effect dynamics like the fishbone diagram does. Therefore, the fishbone diagram is specifically designed for causal analysis, making it the correct answer.