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Cause and Effect Matrix

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25 views

Cause and Effect Matrix

Uploaded by

jashaggy100
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cause and Effect Matrix.

What is a Cause-and-Effect Matrix?


The Cause and Effects Matrix, a six-sigma tool, is used to determine key process input variables (KPIVs),
based on the priorities of customer outcomes (KPOVs). It reveals, in other words the correlation between
the process input variables and the outputs of customers during the Root Cause Analysis.

The X-Y Matrix or Prioritisation Matrix can also be called a Cause-and-Effect Matrix. The Cause-and-Effect
Matrix aims to calculate mathematically the relationship between the key process input variables, (X’s), and
Customer outputs, (Y’s).

Analysis of Cause and Effect, Process flow diagram, and information on the Voice of the Customer is
required to create a Cause-and-Effects Matrix.

How to complete the Cause-and-Effect Matrix


A Cause-and-Effect Matrix is a six-sigma tool to help the Project Team prioritise the X’s or Process inputs.
The Cause-and-Effect Matrix relates process steps to process inputs (X’s) and correlates the inputs to
process outputs. In a Cause-and Effect Matrix, Customer Requirements (or Y’s) are ranked by order of
importance to the Customer. The Inputs (X’s) and Outputs are rated by their interaction impact. The
Cause-and-Effect Matrix should determine what Key Process Input Variables (KPIVs) should receive the
most attention.

Step 1: Enter the Customer Outputs (Y’s)


These outputs come from the “O” (Output) in SIPOC. There should be no less than three outputs under the
“O” in the SIPOC(R); therefore, there will be no less than three outputs in the Cause-and Effect Matrix.
Step 2: Rate the Importance of the Y’s
Rate the importance of the Y’s (Process Outputs) to the Customer. Use a 1 to 10 ranking, with 1 being the
least important and 10 being the most important.

Step 3: List the Steps of the Process


These are found on the Input Map. Repeat the steps for process inputs for that step. For example, the
step “Setup” in the example has five inputs therefore we replicate “Setup” in five rows.
Here is an example of the corresponding Input Map where the “Process Steps” and “Process Inputs” are
found:

Step 4: List the Inputs for all the Steps in the Process
List the X’s (or Inputs) for all the steps in the process. Do not leave blank rows in between each step. For
example, the input, highlighted area, for the step “Setup” should not have a blank row below it separating
the input, highlighted area, for the step “Setup” from the input “Sandwich Maker” for the step “Apply the
Peanut Butter”. Ensure that each row and column are filled in.
Step 5: Determine the Correlation Scores
With the SME’s (Subject Matter Experts or Process Owners), determine the correlation Scores. The
Correlation Scores are 0, 1, 3, and 9. Do not use a 1 to 10 rating, doing this would allow the project team
to ride the fence on inputs that cause debate, and the project team will compromise with the score of “5”.
This will defeat the purpose of the Cause-and-Effect Matrix.

Step 6: Prioritising the Inputs


Sort the “Total” in descending order (from the biggest value to the lowest value). This will prioritise the
inputs based on their effect to the output.

Step 7: Pick the top Inputs


Pick the top three to five as Key Process Variables to move into the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
(FMEA).
Once the Cause-and-Effect Matrix is completed, the X’s or Inputs are prioritised, and the KPIV’s have been
identified, then you can move to the next step. The next step in the Six Sigma Root Cause Analysis is the
FMEA; this is where you will determine how the Key Inputs can fail.

Conclusion
The Cause-and-Effect Matrix is a Lean Six Sigma tool used to prioritise the key process input variables
(KPIV’s) based on priorities of customer outputs (KPOV’s). in other words it establishes the correlation
between process input variables to the customers outputs during root cause analysis.

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