Tool 3: Action and Effect Diagram (AED)


AKA

Reverse Fishbone, Solution Impact Diagram, Backward Fishbone

Classification

Analyzing/Trending (AT)

Tool description

An action and effect diagram (AED) is a reverse fishbone diagram that assists a team in identifying the most positive and negative effects or outcomes of implementing a proposed action or solution. Unlike the cause and effect diagram (CED), the major generic categories such as people, methods, material, equipment, measurement, and cost are displayed to indicate the potential consequences or effects of planned actions.

Typical application

  • To select a solution that, when implemented, will produce the least negative aspects or effects.

  • To identify resource requirements when planning to implement a proposed solution.

  • To analyze how an action's consequences can impact the rest of the system.

  • To develop other options or initiate corrective action to eliminate or greatly reduce listed negative effects.

  • To evaluate the cost and benefits of a planned action.

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

Servicing/support

Customer/quality metrics

1

Change management

start sidebar
links to other tools

before

  • Brainstorming

  • Consensus decision making

  • Countermeasures matrix

  • Starbursting

  • Pareto chart

after

  • Solution matrix

  • Action plan

  • Cost-benefit analysis

  • Resource requirements matrix

  • Balance sheet

end sidebar

Notes and key points

  • Complete an action and effect diagram (AED) for all proposed solutions.

  • Arrows are reversed in the action and effect diagram (AED).

  • Positive and negative effects can be listed as pros and cons in order to compare them in several proposed solutions. Draw circles around strong negative effects indicated in the diagram(s).

Step-by-step procedure

  • STEP 1 Team reaches consensus on a proposed solution. See example Provide "Tools for Teams" Training.

  • STEP 2 Next, the team determines the major categories and places one in each category box.

  • STEP 3 Possible positive and negative consequences or effects are braisntormed and indicated with each category.

  • STEP 4 This process is continued until all ideas are recorded as shown in the example.

  • STEP 5 If more potential solutions are to be analyzed, an action and effect diagram (AED) for each possible solution is completed. The solution with the highest potential and the fewest negative aspects or effects is selected for implementation.

Example of tool application

click to expand




Six Sigma Tool Navigator(c) The Master Guide for Teams
Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams
ISBN: 1563272954
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 326

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net