Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

2017-07-07 02:10:07

AKA

"What-if" Principle

Classification

Analyzing/Trending (AT)

Tool description

The What-if analysis is a very effective idea-generating process that allows a team to question the possible outcomes if a process or procedure is altered. This is also helpful in assessing attempts to do something new or different, or to find a so-far untried solution to a problem.

Typical application

To discover and assess alternative ways to use a product or process.

To question existing practices and applications and to explore potential changes that might yield product or process improvement or a solution to a problem.

To change one's perspective in the idea-generation process.

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

links to other tools

before

SCAMPER

Fresh Eye

Mental Imaging

Problem Analysis

Process Analysis

after

Creativity Assessment

Solution Matrix

Opportunity Analysis

Activity analysis

Process Flowchart

Notes and key points

Option: On a more detailed level for product improvement or development, the What-if analysis could use the SCAMPER technique to generate new ideas: What-if we:

S = Substitute?

C = Combine?

A = Adapt?

M = Modify?, Magnify?

P = Put to other uses?

E = Eliminate?

R = Reverse?, Rearrange?

the material, part, shape, color, purpose, design, sequennce, components, procedure, etc.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1 The team identifies the problem or issue to be analyzed. See example Defects per Unit (DPU) Reduction Alternatives.

STEP 2 Team participants discuss and explore the "what-ifs" of the different proposed ways of solving the problem or improving the current situation.

STEP 3 The facilitator records, on a flip chart, all the finalized alternatives suggested by the team that have merit and need further study.

STEP 4 Last, the team prioritizes all potential solutions on the basis of feasibility and resource requirements The flip chart is dated.