Tool 204: Tree Diagram

Tool description

A tree diagram systematically maps out the detail of smaller activities required to complete a project or reach a primary goal. This tool helps to break down the complexity by logically identifying lower levels of tasks or elements. As a planning tool, it reflects all necessary activities and supporting means to successfully implement a program.

Typical application

• To logically branch out or flow down levels of detail of projects, problems, or primary goals.

• To break down large activities or goals into smaller and specific tasks.

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

links to other tools

before

• Affinity Diagram

• Interrelationship Digraph (I.D.)

• Systems Analysis Diagram

• Symbolic Flowchart

• Prioritization Matrix

after

• Activity Network Diagram

• Process Decision Program Chart

• Matrix Diagram

• Five Whys

• What-If Analysis

Notes and key points

• Numerical indexing example: Levels of detail.

  

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 First, determine the project, problem, or primary goal for the tree diagram. This is the first level of detail. See example Preliminary Planning for Six Sigma Quality.

• STEP 2 Identify the major areas or activities that need to be considered and indicate these as branch headings for the second level of detail.

• STEP 3 Continue to break down major areas (branches) into smaller tasks or elements, labeling each branch as shown. This is the third level, etc.

• STEP 4 Continue this detailing as required to create lower level branches. At this point, if using the tree diagram as a problem-solving tool, start to identify and circle most likely causes of the problems.

• STEP 5 Verify the tree diagram by retracing the branches to the lowest level, checking the logic and flow of activities, and subtasks of supporting elements.

• STEP 6 Encode or designate each branch in accordance with the numbering schema shown in notes and key points. Date the diagram.

Example of tool application