Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

2017-07-07 02:10:07

AKA

N/A

Classification

Evaluating/Selecting (ES)

Tool description

First introduced by T. L. Saaty (1988), prioritization matrices are used to prioritize a particular project, issue, or option on the basis of team-established, weighted criteria. Three variations of matrix construction are used: (A) full analytical criteria method, (B) consensus criteria method, and (C) the combination interrelationship digraph/matrix method. Variation (A), the analytical method, is the most frequently used method.

Typical application

To apply team consensus criteria to select and decide on further action.

To prioritize among activities, issues, or options based on weighted criteria.

To select and prioritize recommended change options.

To allocate limited resources to the most important option.

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

links to other tools

before

Tree Diagram

Consensus Decision Making

Task Analysis

Information Needs Analysis

Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

after

Action Plan

Objectives Matrix (OMAX)

Responsibility Matrix

Process Mapping

Resource Requirements Matrix

Notes and key points

The full analytical criteria method is very complex and time consuming; it is used when the decision outcome is of utmost importance to the team or organization.

Refer to Thomas L. Saaty's book Decision Making for Leaders, University of Pittsburgh (1988) for additional information on prioritization processes.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1 The team decides what project, issue, or option needs to be prioritized.

STEP 2 The team selects a particular prioritization matrix method to be constructed. The full analytical criteria method is used.

STEP 3 The team agrees to prioritize, for example, data collection methods and establish a list of criteria (see first matrix). This matrix serves to rank the established criteria using the "importance" scale, as shown.

STEP 4 Construct matrices (second to fourth) to rank data collection methods such as survey, interview, focus group, benchmarking, and quality function deployment (QFD). Apply the same rating scale for cost, time/effort, and amount of data. See matrix 2–4.

STEP 5 Construct a (fifth) matrix that rates (prioritizes) the overall best data collection method on the basis of the previously developed weighted criteria and data collection method ranks. In the example shown, survey is overall best data collection method.

STEP 6 Check all calculations and date all charts.