Tool 2: 6-3-5 Method

AKA

Recorded Round Robin Technique

Classification

Idiea Generating (IC)

Tool description

The 6-3-5 method is a brainwriting technique that generates and develops ideas by asking six participants to write, within five minutes, three ideas on seprate cards. These cards are then passed along to other participants for further refinement or additional ideas.

Typical application

• To generate a large list of ideas for problem solving.

• To unlock the creativity in teams.

• To identify process or product-improvement opportunities.

• To refine or build on previously generated ideas.

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
	Customer/quality metrics
2	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Checklist

• Checksheet

• Observation

• Interview technique

• Problem specification

after

• Criteria filtering

• SCAMPER

• Cluster analysis

• Creativity assessment

• Nominal group technique (NGT)

Notes and key points

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 A problem statement is shared with a team of six participants. See example Improve Customer Satisfaction.

• STEP 2 Several blank cards are handed out to each participant with the instruction to generate three ideas (one per card) within five minutes.

• STEP 3 Each participant writes three ideas related to the problem statement.

• STEP 4 After the five-minute first round, participants pass the cards with written ideas to the person on their left.

• STEP 5 The participants read all ideas passed to them, further develop the ideas, or add additional ideas to the previously recorded idea.

• STEP 6 After five minutes, the second round is started, using the process as outlined in steps 4-5 above.

• STEP 7 This process continues until each participant receives back his or her own card written during round one.

• STEP 8 Lastly, all ideas are clustered and recorded. The chart is dated and saved for the next action step.

Example of tool application

Improve Customer Satisfaction	Date: xx/xx/xx
External	Product
Survey customers	No spare parts
Focus groups	Missing parts
Conduct interviews	Defective products
Random contact	Missing manual
Etc.	Etc.
Internal	Service
Complaint file	Make callbacks
Check "retuns" records	Be on time
Warranty claims	Forms filled out completely
Ask customer reps	No appointment errors
Sort correspondence	60 day followup
Reorder process	"Know your product"
Ask quality assurance	Accurate information
Shipping problem log	Check Code of Conduct
Etc.	Etc.