Tool 215: What-If Analysis

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.

Example of tool application