Cause Effect Matrix

Use a Cause Effect Diagram (Technique 53) to document all the important causal relationships in the system. Then prioritize these relationships using a Cause Effect Matrix (Technique 54). These then become the initial focus of an attempt to trim the system using a trimming worksheet. 

Use a Cause Effect Matrix (Technique 53) to determine the relationship between the design s inputs and outputs. If you understand how each input affects the output, both individually and in combination, you can improve your design performance and reduce variability. 

While the purpose of Design Scorecards is to prevent problems, defects, and errors through superior design, they also enable better problem detection after a new solution (design) is implemented. If you are in detect-and-fix mode, any number of process-optimization techniques may help, such as Process Behavior Charts (Technique 52), Cause Effect Matrix (Technique 54), Mistake Proofing (Technique 49), and Design of Experiments (Technique 50). 

With an optimized innovation ready for the market, it s time to improve and transition the project to its owners for ongoing operation. Use the Process Behavior Charts and Control Plan techniques during and after this transition. Also use the Cause Effect Diagram and Cause Effect Matrix to diagnose, solve, or at least mitigate any implementation problems encountered. 

Factors are the inputs you will vary during the experiment to determine the effect on the response. Use a Cause Effect Matrix (Technique 54) to help you identify all possible factors that contribute to the responses you listed in step 1. Then, narrow down the list based on cost and time constraints. Typically, two to seven factors work best. 

Continue to drill down on each possible cause, asking, Why When you finish, you will have narrowed down the potential causes to the main root causes. These can be further investigated using a Cause Effect Matrix (Technique 54) to determine which inputs have the greatest impact on customer-centric outputs and, thus, need to be addressed to maintain customer expectations. 

You can use a Cause Effect Matrix at any stage of your innovation process when you need to understand the relationship between inputs and outputs, or figure out which factor has critical influence. 

Scenario In the DVD-by-mail example from the Cause Effect Diagram (Technique 53), we looked for the root causes (inputs) contributing to customer dissatisfaction. We can also use a Cause Effect Matrix to discover... 

A Cause Effect Matrix enables the numerical representation of process inputs and outputs, and the relationships between them. This quantifies the knowledge of each process expert. 

Trip logic or cause/effect matrix diagrams for the logic fimctions... 

Cause effect matrix The cause and effect matrix or XY matrix (not to be confused with the fishbone diagram) is used to quantify how significantly each input may affect the desired output (The Process Improvement Notebook,TQLO Publication No. 97-01, n.d.). An overview of the XY matrix is provided for an overview of the process of categorizing and comparing the probability and the severity of risk. Severity and probability potential hazards use a different format shown in Chapter 8 (The Process Improvement Notebook, TQLO Publication No. 97-01, n.d.). 

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