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b. Weight the WANTs (1-10 as 1=lowest)
4. Generate the alternatives / options
through the MUSTsNEEDs (Yes and No Go)No)
6. Score the matrix by consensus / voting
1 = Not met

needsNEEDs / WANTs Decision Matrix
What is a Decision Matrix? A Decision Matrix is a systematic process for making a choice.
use it? WhenWhen a team
1. Determine what the team needs to decide.
2. Generate the criteria.

Force Field Analysis
Needs/Wants Matrix
Matrix Diagram
Decision Matrix or Prioritization Matrices (see pages 76-81 in Problem Solving Memory Jogger)
Click here for a blank Force Field Analysis Worksheet:
{Force Field Analysis Worksheet.pdf}
needsNEEDs / WANTs Decision Matrix
What is a Decision Matrix? A Decision Matrix is a systematic process for making a choice.
Why would we want to use it? When a team cannot determine which of several choices will be most effective or efficient, the Decision Matrix tool can be used to assist in making that selection.
1. Determine what the team needs to decide.
2. Generate the criteria.
3. Determine criteria within the context of values
a. Classify criteria in NEEDs and WANTs (NEEDs = mandatory)
b. Weight the WANTs (1-10 as 1=lowest)
4. Generate the alternatives / options
5. Screen options through the MUSTs (Yes and No Go)
6. Score the matrix by consensus / voting
1 = Not met
2 = Somewhat met
3 = Met
4 = Exceeds
7. Multiply weight with score and total
8. Compare options against the WANTs
9. Examine the risks and benefits
a. What could go wrong, short and long term, if this option were chosen?
b. Are we willing to accept the risks to gain the benefits of this choice?
10. Make the best balanced choice.
Example:
Criteria
Weight
Option 1
Food Service Preparation
Option 2
Morrison’s
Option 3
Cook / Chill
Serves vegetarian entrees
M
Yes
Yes
Yes
Quality of food
10
3*10 = 30
3*10 = 30
1*10 = 10
Quality of service
7
3*7 = 21
2*7 = 14
3*7 = 21
Within five miles
M
Yes
No
Yes
Within one hour
M
Yes
No
Yes
Low-fat entree
6
3*6 = 18
1*6 = 6
1*6 = 6
Totals
69
50
37
matrixMatrix Diagram
A matrix diagram can help you identify the best solution by plot the solutions against select criteria

Cause and Effect Diagram
Why Why Diagram
Matrix DiagramDecision Matrix (Weighted Criteria)
paretoPareto Charts
—A Pareto chart is a bar graph.
Tools:
With Word 2007 or 2010 or PowerPoint 2007/2010, you can use the SmartArt features. Select the Insert tab. In the Illustrations group on the ribbon, select SmartArt. Select Hierarchy in the left column and a horizontal hierarchy in the middle column. Click OK to insert the diagram.
matrixMatrix Diagram (Decision Matrix)matrixDecision Matrix (Weighted Criteria)
In some situations teams don’t have enough data to help them reach a conclusion on the root cause(s) of the problem. In these situations, teams can use a Decision Matrix to reach consensus on the most likely root cause(s). This tool helps a team compare the leading candidates for the root cause against criteria that the team decides are important for selecting a root cause.
Steps to using a Matrix Diagram (Decision Matrix)

—Elements of a good action plan – page 84 in Memory Jogger
—Tools
—Affinity diagramDiagram to organize tasks.
—Tree diagramDiagram to map
—Responsibility Matrix to show which individuals are responsible for carrying out the key tasks in the Tree Diagram and include the time, budget, and staff allocations for each task.
—Gantt Chart to use as a scheduling and monitoring tool.

What or whom the action will involve
What the desired effect will be
Generate Potential SolutionsGENERATE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
What action will you take?
To what? Or with whom?

Identify possible solutions
Generatesolutions; Select the best solution; Create an action plan
1. Generate possible solutions
Rank
—Write down one or more solution statements for each identified root cause
—Three components to an effective solution statement
The action the implementation team will take
What or whom the action will involve
What the desired effect will be
Generate Potential Solutions
What action will you take?
To what? Or with whom?
To produce what desired effect?
Replace
+
spark plugs
+
to increase fuel economy
Improve training
+
for all employees
+
to reduce turnover
Provide recommended maintenance
+
on photocopies
+
to reduce paper waster caused by jams
Tools
Affinity Diagram
2. Rank potential soulutions;solutions; select the best solution
—Identify the selection criteria that will be used to rank the solutions.
—Identify the most important customer needs.
—Agree on the additional criteria that will be used by the team to assess all of the potential solutions. Such as:
—Level of complexity
—Level of resources required
—Amount of time required for implementation
—Degree of control by the team
—Probability of change
—Impact on the problem (high, medium, low)
Tools
—Force Field Analysis Diagram
—Matrix Diagram
—Decision / Prioritization Matrix (pages 76-81 in Problem Solving Memory Jogger)
—
3. Generate all possible tasks that can be done to implement the solution
—Use the solution statement to think about and brainstorm potential ways to implement the solution
—Tools
—Affinity Diagram (brainstorming)
4. Construct a detailed action plan
—A good action plan will document the identified tasks to implement the solution, the necessary resources, the required tasks, and the names of individuals or groups who are assigned the responsibility for completing the tasks
—The plan will also include milestones for assessing progress toward the team’s goals or targets, as well as measures on the performance of the process.
—Elements of a good action plan – page 84 in Memory Jogger
—Tools
—Affinity diagram to organize the team’s list of brainstormed potential tasks into broad groupings of tasks.
—Tree diagram to map out detailed levels of tasks.
—Responsibility Matrix to show which individuals are responsible for carrying out the key tasks in the Tree Diagram and include the time, budget, and staff allocations for each task.
—Gantt Chart to use as a scheduling and monitoring tool.
—Process Decision Program Chart to develop countermeasures that may occur during the implementation of the plan.
Decision Tools
Affinity Diagram
Gantt ChartForce Field Diagram
Matrix Diagram
Decision Matrix or Prioritization Matrices
Process Decision Program Chart
Responsibility Matrix
Tree Diagram
Responsibility Matrix
Gantt Chart
Process Decision Program Chart

Key Points
Gantt charts are useful tools for planning and scheduling projects. They allow you to assess how long a project should take, determine the resources needed, and lay out the order in which tasks need to be carried out. They are useful in managing the dependencies between tasks.
of the proje
ct.
project.
pdpcProcess Decision Program Chart (PDPC)
Use to develop countermeasures for problems that may occur during the implementation of the plan.
The PDPC is an ideal tool to help teams anticipate potential problems before they occur.
Determine proposed implementation steps. These steps can be taken from the Tree Diagram.
Develop a list of potential and likely problems (contingencies) that could interfere with the successful completion of a step by asking "What could go wrong?"
Branch likely problems off each step.
Branch possible and reasonable countermeasures off each likely problem.
Choose the most effective countermeasures and build them into the plan.
Example of PDPC:
{PDPC Chart Example}