13. Analytical Tools

Question 1

Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC) P. 177

Answer 1

Tree diagram that identify all events (first three levels) that can go wrong (fourth level) and the appropriate countermeasures for these events (fifth level).

Often used when a plan is large and complex, must be on schedule, is being implemented for the first, and the cost of failing is high.

Question 2

Interrelationship Digraph (ID) P. 179

Answer 2

Tools that displays the cause-and-effect relationships between ideas of factors in a complex situation.

AKA: relations diagram, circle diagram or hand-off map.

Question 3

Affinity Diagrams P. 181

Answer 3

Tool used to organize information and help achieve order out of the chaos that can develop in a brainstorming session.

Question 4

Tree Diagrams P. 183

Answer 4

Tools that depicts the hierarchy of tasks and subtasks needed to complete an objective.

Question 5

Matrix Diagram P. 186

Answer 5

Tool that identifies the relationships that exist between groups of data, or strength of those relationship as well.

Question 6

Matrix Shape P. 186

Answer 6

C: Cube. Three dimensional (3 variables)
L: Most basic /common matrix format (2)
T: T-shape (3)
X: Extends the T into and X-shape (4)
Y: Shows relationship between variables (3)
Roof: Used with L or T matrix to show one groups of items relating to itself (1)

Question 7

Prioritization Matrix P. 191

Answer 7

Tool used to choose between several options that have many useful benefits, but where not all of them are of equal value.

Question 8

Developing Prioritization Matrix

Answer 8

• Create L-matrix with 1. relative importance weightings (sum 100%), 2. criteria, 3. options.
• Rank each option within a criterion, If equal use standard rank averaging.
• Create another prioritization matrix and cross-multiply for each option.
• Select the option with highest row total
• Conduct a sanity check to ensure the solution makes sense.

Question 9

Activity Network Diagram P. 194

Answer 9

Tool used to illustrate a sequence of events or activities (nodes) and the inter-connectivity of such nodes.

Earliest Start = The largest EF leading into (before) this one
Latest Finish = The smallest LS following (after) this one.

Total Slack (whole project schedule) = LS- ES or LF- EF
Free Slack (next jobs) = Smallest ES after this one- EF