The Solution Selection Matrix provides you with a straightforward approach to selecting your best improvements. In addition, it’s an effective tool for engaging others in developing solutions and communicating the results to stakeholders.
Ready to create your Solution Selection Matrix and start improving?
Once you’ve confirmed root causes, use the Solution Selection Matrix to evaluate and determine your short list of solutions. The key here is to identify as many potential solutions as possible. You’ll get a better and more complete list of solutions by including many people in the process of ideation. Brainstorming is often used for this. It can be done in small groups or larger groups remotely by email or web-based applications.
How do I create a Solution Selection Matrix?
Generate your solution ideas. Begin by writing a brainstorming statement in the form of “How can we...” and adding the problem you’re trying to correct, which is often the root cause or something closely related to it.
When you have multiple root causes you’re trying to remedy, you’ll likely need multiple brainstorming statements. Share your brainstorming statement(s) with the participants. If you’re doing this remotely, give them time to respond but establish a deadline.
Reduce the list. When you accumulate the ideas, judge them for feasibility, dropping those which clearly won’t work. Then evaluate the remaining ideas in terms of their effectiveness in solving the problem, fixing the root causes, and their difficulty to implement. This is often referred to as an Impact and Difficulty assessment and filters the ideas down to a shortlist of the most useful.
Evaluate the reduced list. Once you consolidate your list of solutions to the few that’ll fix the root cause as efficiently as possible, list them in the left column of the Solution Selection Matrix. Then set the weight for the selection criteria across the top on a 1-5 scale. Next, rate each solution based on the selection criteria on a 1-5 scale. Once you have rated all five aspects of a solution, a score will be calculated, shown under the “Total Score” column to the left.
Select your best solutions. Use the score as a guide, as the numbers are usually a good indication of usefulness. Mark the “Implement?” column with a “Yes” for the solutions you’ve chosen to implement (otherwise “No”). Be sure that at least one of the solution ideas addresses a confirmed root cause. Not all solutions have to, but all should improve the process.
Kure guides you through each step in creating a Solution Selection Matrix by asking simple questions and providing guidance along the way. Powered by our Process Optimization Path® (artificial intelligence), Kure will help you and your teams collaborate to complete process improvement projects together.
Ready to create your Solution Selection Matrix and start improving?