Process Decision Programme Chart
Purpose
The purpose of process decision programme chart is to prepare for abnormal occurrences with low probability which may otherwise be overlooked and to present the occurrences as well as the necessary countermeasures to guard against such occurrences in the form of a visual chart. The tool forces one to think of the possible obstacles in the smooth progress of a process or a project and then find ways and means to surmount those obstacles to ensure the successful and timely completion of the process or the project. Thus the tool helps one to prepare a contingency plan to achieve the objective if adverse events occur.
Procedure
The steps in the preparation of a process decision programme chart are :
- Prepare a ‘normal’ flowchart of the process with all expected events as steps in the chart.
- Consider the possibility of the process not going as per the plan due to any abnormal, though less probable, occurrences.
- Show these occurrences on the flowchart through branching at appropriate locations.
- Consider how the abnormal occurrence will affect the process and search for ways and means to counter the effect
- Show these countermeasures in rectangles connecting the corresponding abnormal occurrence on one side and the process objective or the goal on the other.
- Give a suitable title to the diagram.
Steps 2 and 4 require totally different type of thinking and hence the team must be prepared to think on appropriate lines. One needs to put on different ‘thinking hats’ while brainstorming steps 2 and 4 and the facilitator must inform all members about it. As suggested by Dr. Edward De Bono in his book ‘Six Thinking Hats’ the correct thinking hats for steps 2 and 4 are black and yellow which respectively encourage ‘negative logical’ and ‘positive logical’ thinking.
Applications
The tool has the widest range of applications as it can be used for a range of activities from simple ones like a game of bridge or reaching railway station or airport in time to catch a train or a plane to complex processes or projects. In fact if can be applied to all processes to ensure their success by systematically minimizing the untoward effect of unexpected adverse occurrences. Through the process of brainstorming for possible adverse occurrences and for measures to counter them, one assures the success of the process even if such events do occur. The tool can be used to prevent problems by identifying opportunities for error and devising measures to avoid failure. It can be used during the implementation of solutions for predicting resistance and for planning measures to overcome the resistance.
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