Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

2017-07-07 02:10:07

AKA

Accountability Grid

Classification

Changing/Implementing (CI)

Tool description

A responsibility matrix is used to identify decisions to be made, major activities to be completed, and persons or groups involved in a change project. Project management requires constant tracking of activities and schedule; a responsibility matrix provides the assignments and understanding of employees' roles and resources required to complete a project.

Typical application

To display decision requirements, activities to be completed, and key personnel involved in a project management setting.

To provide a common understanding of a project's people and resource requirements and allocation.

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

links to other tools

before

Problem Analysis

Checklist

Demographic Analysis

Circle response

Consensus Decision Making

after

Resource Histogram

Action Plan

Basili Data Collection Method

Project Planning Log

Milestones Chart

Notes and key points

No cell may contain more than one role.

Avoid splitting primary responsibility (R) for action.

Avoid assigning too many approvals (A) to any one item.

Coding: Typical codes have been assigned in this example. Additional designations may be needed.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1 A facilitated planning team or committee identifies major project activities and responsibilities.

STEP 2 The facilitator creates a responsibility matrix on a whiteboard and requests participants' assistance in completing the matrix. Activities and actors are listed. See example Establishment of Continuous Improvement Teams.

STEP 3 Next, participants determine personnel assignments and respective roles in the completion of project activities. A coding scheme is used as shown in this example.

STEP 4 Finally, the completed responsibility matrix is checked, revised, and dated.