What is a common tool used for process mapping in Six Sigma?

A common tool used for process mapping in Six Sigma is the cause-and-effect diagram, also known as a fishbone diagram. This tool helps teams visually break down the potential causes of a problem in order to identify its root causes. By organizing the information into categories corresponding to major factors that could contribute to a problem, teams can better analyze the relationships between different elements and pinpoint areas needing improvement.

This method is instrumental in process mapping as it clarifies how various inputs and processes contribute to the output. It facilitates a deeper understanding of the process, enabling teams to establish a clearer pathway for improvement. The cause-and-effect diagram's structured approach is particularly beneficial for identifying not just symptoms but underlying issues in a process, making it an essential tool within the Six Sigma framework.

In contrast, bar charts, heat maps, and histograms serve different purposes related to data visualization and analysis, but they do not specifically focus on mapping out processes or identifying causal relationships, which is why they are less suitable for this context.