AKA | Logic Diagram, Decision Model |
Classification | Decision Making (DM) |
The decision process flowchart is a decision-making tool that greatly assists managers and teams in arriving at better decisions. Additionally, possible alternatives are branched in a logical path that helps to consider the potential outcomes of decisions made.
To use a logical approach in the search for a best course or action.
To improve the decision-making process.
To identify critical path or high priority.
→ | 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 |
1 | Research/statistics |
Creativity/innovation | |
2 | Engineering |
3 | Project management |
Manufacturing | |
Marketing/sales | |
Administration/documentation | |
Servicing/support | |
Customer/quality metrics | |
4 | Change management |
before
Influence Diagram
Decision Tree Diagram
Information Needs Analysis
Process Mapping
Consensus Decision Making
after
Activity analysis
Action Plan
Cost of Quality
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Potential Problem Analysis (PPA)
Construct the flowchart so that each decision fork presents a Yes/No (mutually exclusive) option.
Decision outcomes may reflect personal or team bias.
Recommendation to avoid complexity: No more than five decision points.
STEP 1 First, the team participants discuss the application of this tool to ensure that everyone understands the process involved.
STEP 2 The team decides on the issue, topic, or problem to be flowcharted. See example Should Engineering Assistants Attend Marketing Workshops?
STEP 3 Next, a list of questions is developed to serve as headings for the decision points of the various "logical flow" branches.
STEP 4 A whiteboard is used to flowchart. At this point some revisions of the questions may be necessary.
STEP 5 Upon completion of the flowchart, possible decisions are surfaced by the team through the analysis of every path using the flowchart, as shown in the example.
STEP 6 Finally, the completed decision process flowchart is reviewed and dated.
Should Engineering Assistants Attend Marketing Workshops?