Tool 11: Attribute Listing

AKA

N/A

Classification

Idea Generating (IG)

Tool description

Developed by Robert Crawford during the 1930s, the attribute listing technique is an idea-generating tool for identifying process, product, and service improvement opportunities. Attributes of a product, service, or process are systematically changed or substituted to search for problem solutions or improvement ideas.

Typical application

• To modify product, process, or service characteristics in order to bring problem-solving or improvement ideas to the surface.

• To examine essential problem-related attributes to possibly change or modify them in order to eliminate or reduce the problem.

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

links to other tools

before

• Brainstorming

• Defect Map

• Stimulus Analysis

• Fresh eye

• Circles of knowledge

after

• Circle of opportunity

• Information needs analysis

• Opportunity Analysis

• Creativity assessment

• Presentation

Notes and key points

• To keep a session focused, limit the use of attributes to seven per session.

Problem-solving phase

• STEP 1 First, the problem statement is discussed. See example Copier Copy Tray Pins Break Frequently,

• STEP 2 All characteristics or attributes of the product, process, or service are listed.

• STEP 3 Next, the problem-related, essential characteristics are identified and recorded.

• STEP 4 Lastly, the modification or substitution of all characteristics is systematically discussed by team participants. This often results in finding a solution to the problem or an improvement opportunity as shown in the example.

• STEP 5 The recorded information is dated.

Example of tool application