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 among particular projects, issues, or options on the basis of team-established, weighted criteria. Three variations of matrix construction are used: (A) the full analytical criteria method, (B) the consensus criteria method, and (C) the combination interrelationship digraph/matrix method. The consensus criteria method is used when a team experiences difficulty in arriving at a decision.

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 resoures 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 consensus criteria method

This method is less difficult and more flexible for a team to use when prioritizing. Simple consensus for criteria weighting and ranking techniques can be used.

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 Select a particular prioritization matrix method to be constructed. There are three alternatives:
- Full analytical criteria method
- Consensus criteria method
- Combination ID/matrix method

STEP 3 The team agrees to prioritize data collection methods and establishes a list of criteria. See example Consensus Criteria Method.

STEP 4 Next, the team ranks data collection methods as shown in the matrix.

STEP 5 All matrix cells are calculated and row totals indicated as shown in the matrix.

STEP 6 Check calculations and date the matrix.