AAOM Handbook

INTERNAL

AI.18 Rank Potential Control Actions Context

Brainstorming generally results in the identification of many potential control actions for an issue. We have briefly defined the implementation method for the actions in order to allow assessment of the practicality of each. Before we can conclude which is the most practical control action(s) for the process issue we may have to model, or test the control actions to validate whether they will be feasible and effective. For a cause(s) with a large number of potential control actions this may be a lot of work. In order to make this workload manageable we interpose a step to rank the potential control actions. We then start the modelling or testing from the highest ranked control action and proceed until we have confidently identified a practical control action(s). This task is to evaluate the important characteristics of each control action in order to rank them based on practicality. Purpose To select the most practical control action to address the contributing/root cause(s) of a process issue. Quantity One list of possible control actions ranked from most to least practical. Quality In ranking the potential control actions consider;  The feasibility of the action.  The extent to which it will deliver the expected benefit (effectiveness). Consider using an exponential weighting system to clearly differentiate potential control actions – as per the following table;

3

9

Feasibility High

Low

1

3

Low

High

Effectiveness Use the knowledge and experience of the team to produce the ‘first cut’ ranking of the potential control actions. Have each member of the team provide their own valuation of the potential control action. If all team members provide the same value assign that value to the action. If team members provide different values have the team discuss the reasons for their valuation and arrive at a consensus rationale and value. Assign the consensus value to the potential control action.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2007

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