Tool 148: Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC)

AKA

N/A

Classification

Planning/Presenting (PP)

Tool description

The process decision program chart (PDPC) is a contingency planning tool used to assist in establishing an implementation action plan for a complex project that has a high degree of uncertainty for successful and timely completion. This tool, which uses a very structured approach, identifies plan activities, asks what-if questions to uncover potential problem areas, and develops countermeasures for any problems that might occur.

Typical application

• To perform contingency planning prior to implementing a complex activity problem or solution with high uncertainty.

• To determine possible countermeasures in order to minimize any problems that may surface when an unfamiliar activity is performed.

• To anticipate problems and consider consequences due to errors or gaps in planning.

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

links to other tools

before

• Tree Diagram

• Problem Specification

• Matrix Diagram

• Weighted Voting

• Process Analysis

after

• Countermeasures Matrix

• Starbursting

• Solution Matrix

• Action Plan

• Variance Analysis

Notes and key points

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 The team refers to a previously completed data collection and analysis. This data source can be a tree diagram, matrix diagram, a problem specification, or some other tool reference.

• STEP 2 The next step is to construct a PDPC chart as outlined in the example Conversion of an Assembly Line to Work Cells.

• STEP 3 First, list the project goal, followed by a lower level of primary activities detailed further into required tasks. Ensure that all activities have been considered from the data source.

• STEP 4 For each task or requirement, ask what-ifs. See example What if there is an interruption in production output? What if there is equipment downtime?

• STEP 5 For every what-if, consider what countermeasures can be taken. Connect what-ifs and countermeasures to the tasks to complete the chart. Designate countermeasures as practical and feasible = 0, or impractical and difficult = X.

• STEP 6 Review the chart, make revisions if needed, and provide date of issue.

Example of tool application