Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

2017-07-07 02:10:07

AKA

Logic Diagram, Decision Model

Classification

Decision Making (DM)

Tool description

The decision process flowchart is a decision-making tool that greatly assists managers and teams in arriving at better decisions. Additionally, possible alternatives are branched in a logical path that helps to consider the potential outcomes of decisions made.

Typical application

To use a logical approach in the search for a best course or action.

To improve the decision-making process.

To identify critical path or high priority.

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

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

links to other tools

before

Influence Diagram

Decision Tree Diagram

Information Needs Analysis

Process Mapping

Consensus Decision Making

after

Activity analysis

Action Plan

Cost of Quality

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Potential Problem Analysis (PPA)

Notes and key points

Construct the flowchart so that each decision fork presents a Yes/No (mutually exclusive) option.

Decision outcomes may reflect personal or team bias.

Recommendation to avoid complexity: No more than five decision points.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1 First, the team participants discuss the application of this tool to ensure that everyone understands the process involved.

STEP 2 The team decides on the issue, topic, or problem to be flowcharted. See example Should Engineering Assistants Attend Marketing Workshops?

STEP 3 Next, a list of questions is developed to serve as headings for the decision points of the various "logical flow" branches.

STEP 4 A whiteboard is used to flowchart. At this point some revisions of the questions may be necessary.

STEP 5 Upon completion of the flowchart, possible decisions are surfaced by the team through the analysis of every path using the flowchart, as shown in the example.

STEP 6 Finally, the completed decision process flowchart is reviewed and dated.

Example of tool application

Should Engineering Assistants Attend Marketing Workshops?