Tool 49: Criteria Filtering

AKA

Impact-Effort Analysis, List Reduction

Classification

Evaluating/Selecting (ES)

Tool description

The criteria filtering technique is a screening methodology that uses certain criteria to sort identified problem areas into two categories, one of easy-to-do "low hanging fruit activities" requiring relatively few resources, and the other of hard-to-do activities that require a more extensive problem-solving approach and, therefore, more resources to solve a problem.

Typical application

• To prioritize team activities on the basis of high impact—low resource requirements.

• To identify quick fix opportunities.

• To brainstorm selection criteria to be used as a filter to screen out easy-to-do problem-solving activities.

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

links to other tools

before

• Criteria rating form

• Consensus Decision Making

• Activity analysis

• Countermeasures Matrix

• Project Prioritization Matrix

after

• Run-It-By

• What-If Analysis

• Five Whys

• Value analysis

• Cycle Time Flowchart

Notes and key points

• The selection criteria should be determined by team consensus and should cover resource requirements such as time, cost, expertise, quantity, quality, legal, safety, and approval authorization levels.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 As a first step, the team brainstorms appropriate criteria that will screen and sort potential problem-solving or improvement opportunities into two categories, easy-to-do and hard-to-do.

• STEP 2 The established criteria is displayed on a flip chart alongside a recommended list of problem-solving or process-improvement opportunities.

• STEP 3 Using the criteria as a filter, the team screens every item on the list by answering the questions (criteria) as seen in the example.

• STEP 4 Lastly, a new list of easy-to-do items is compiled, dated, and assigned for action.

Example of tool application

Training Improvement Opportunities

(Activity #6 – Revise Training Registration Form)

Criteria (Filter)	Date: xx/xx/xx
Estimated hours (≤ 160)	Yes	No___
Cost to implement (≤ $500)	Yes	No___
Adverse impact?	Yes___	No
Legal involved?	Yes___	No
Safety involved?	Yes___	No
Support organizational goals?	Yes	No___
Outside expertise required?	Yes___	No
Estimated schedule (≤ 3 months)	Yes	No___
Note: This activity is categorized as "easy to do."