1.7 Organizational Planning Tools HL

Question 1

Planning tools for in a given situation

Answer 1

• Fishbone diagram
• Decision tree
• Force field analysis
• Gannt Chart

Question 2

Decision Tree

Answer 2

Shows:

• Optional avaliable
• Possible outcomes
• Economic returns

How to draw:

1. Decision Node (square)
2. Branches
3. Chance Nodes (circles)
4. Chance branches
5. Numbers
6. Calculate EV (expected values)
7. Cross out lower EV branches ( \ )

Question 3

Pros & Cons of Decision Trees

Answer 3

Pros:

• Tangible and mathematical answer to which decision is best
• Enables users to see all information visually
• Risk is included and assessed

Cons:

• Estimates may be bias
• Probabilities are estimates –> may contain error
  *

Question 4

Force Field Analysis

Answer 4

A visual tool that shows the driving forces and restraining forces for a proposed change

Driving forces:

• Why you should change

Restraining forces:

• Why you shouldn’t

How to draw:

1. Draw the change in a box in the centre
2. List driving forces on left
3. List restraining forces on right
4. Add arrows towards box
5. Add weights (1 – 5) for each ‘force’
6. Calculate totals and determin option to take.

Question 5

Pros & Cons of Force Field Analysis

Answer 5

Pros:

• Visual
• Allows strategies to be created to strengthen driving forces and weaken restraining forces

Cons:

• Weightings are approximations and may be incorrect
• There may be numerous forces on one side, possibly leading to bias

Question 6

Gannt Chart

Answer 6

A diagram used in project management that shows the a schedule for a project visually

Contains:

• All tasks
• Length of tasks
• Order tasks should be completed

How to make it:

1. Identify tasks to be completed
2. Estimate how long each task will take
3. Identify relationships between tasks (2 tasks at once, one before another)
4. Create the Gantt chart

Question 7

Pros & Cons of Gannt Charts

Answer 7

Pros:

• Allows detailed planning
• Can identify the key activities (linear)
• Can track progress against the Gantt chart to see if the project is on track

​Cons:

• Can become extremely complex for large projects
• Does not include costs

Question 8

Fishbone Diagram

Answer 8

Brainstorming method to establishes the possible causes of a problem

Basically a cause and effect diagram

How to create:

1. Write the problem in a box – (The Head) (circle)
2. Add 4 - 6 main categories – (The Big Bones) (aroows)
   
   • Methods, Machines, Manpower, Materials, Measurement, Mother Nature
3. Add possible causes for each one – (The Small bones)

Question 9

Pros & Cons of Fish Bone Diagram

Answer 9

Pros:

• Enables users to see all information visually
• Encourage participation in brainstorming

Cons:

• Simplistic
• Ignores interconnectedness of the possible causes of the problem