What aspect does a cause-and-effect diagram primarily focus on?

A cause-and-effect diagram, commonly known as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is primarily focused on identifying the root causes of problems. This tool is particularly useful in quality management and process improvement because it helps teams systematically explore and visualize the various potential factors that could contribute to a specific effect or outcome, often referred to as a problem.

When using this diagram, teams can categorize potential causes into groups, allowing for a comprehensive view of factors that may be contributing to an issue. By doing so, it not only helps in pinpointing the root causes but also encourages collaborative thinking and brainstorming among team members.

In contrast, the other options reflect different aspects of project management and quality improvement that do not align with the primary function of a cause-and-effect diagram. For example, visualizing data distribution pertains more to statistical analysis rather than identifying causes. Mapping a project's timeline focuses on scheduling and planning activities, while assessing customer satisfaction levels is related to evaluating service or product performance from a customer's perspective. Each of these has its own distinct tools and methodologies but does not share the core purpose of the cause-and-effect diagram.