Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

2017-07-07 02:10:07

AKA

Crawford Slip Writing

Classification

Idea Generating (IG)

Tool description

Pioneered by C. C. Crawford, the Crawford Slip method is a structured approach used to collect a large number of ideas from a group. A facilitator first displays a problem statement or issue, then participants generate ideas and write them on a provided slip of paper or 3 5 index card. Since this is an anonymous process, more candid and creative ideas result.

Typical application

To generate anonymously ideas on how to deal with a sensitive issue or topic.

To identify real and perceived problem areas in the organization.

To collect ideas for process, product, or service imporovement.

To produce potential problem-solving solutions.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
1	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
4	Project management
	Manufacturing
2	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
3	Change management

links to other tools

before

Buzz Group

Weighted Voting

Sticking Dots

Checklist

Interview Technique

after

Value analysis

Criteria Filtering

Multivoting

Consensus Decision Making

Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

Notes and key points

The Crawford Slip method of brainstorming:

Advantages
- Any size group (small to large).
- Any seating arrangement.
- Broader participation (includes less expressive participants).
- Large quantity of ideas.
- Good for sensitive topics since participants' input is anonymous, without team interaction.
- Easier process of sorting ideas.
Disadvantages
- Overall slow process.
- Cannot build on other ideas (piggybacking).
- Written ideas may not be legible or clear.
- Written ideas may be stated as a word when they require a lengthy paragraph.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1 A facilitator explains the procedure to the team (or large group) and hands out slips of paper or 3 5 index cards to each participant.

STEP 2 A flip chart with a written problem statement or an issue to be brainstormed is displayed to the team.

STEP 3 Participants respond by writing their ideas on the provided papers, one idea per paper or card, and then pass them to the facilitator. See example Perceived Organizational Problems.

STEP 4 This process continues for approximately 25 minutes, and the rest of the additional ideas are handed to the facilitator.

STEP 5 If this process was completed with a relatively small team of 6-12 participants, ideas can now be sorted by frequency and category. Ideas from a large group would require sorting and analysis at a later date.

Example of tool application

Perceived Organizational Problems