Which of the following best describes the purpose of a cause and effect diagram?

A cause and effect diagram, also known as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is primarily used to identify and visualize the various factors that contribute to a specific problem or effect in a process. The purpose of this tool is to systematically explore and display the relationships between potential causes of process variations and their overall impact, allowing teams to pinpoint the root causes of issues that lead to variation in outputs.

By organizing ideas and potential causes in a structured manner, the cause and effect diagram helps teams analyze complex situations and facilitates discussions that can lead to improvements. This visual representation aids in identifying not just one factor, but various contributing elements, which can be beneficial in developing effective solutions that address the root causes rather than just symptoms of the problem.

In contrast, ranking data according to frequency relates more closely to data analysis techniques focused on frequency distribution rather than causal relationships. Mapping out steps in a process is typically associated with flowcharts, which illustrate workflows rather than identifying causes. Monitoring process outputs over time pertains to control charts or performance tracking tools. Each of these has specific applications and does not serve the primary function of a cause and effect diagram to reveal underlying causes of variations in processes.