Cause and Effect Matrix Template

The cause-and-effect matrix is used to understand the relationship between causes and effects. When an output variable deviates from its specified parameters, that is an effect. When an effect goes out of specification, it becomes important to prioritize potential causes based on their significance. The causes with the highest overall score should be addressed first in improvement efforts.

This cause-and-effect template is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you can use and modify to meet your unique requirements. It can easily be modified to include additional sections as needed. You may, for example, add more rows and columns or use whatever scoring method that aligns with your specific circumstances. Additionally, the template is equipped with a cause-and-effect diagram to help brainstorming and organizing the identified causes.