C&E Matrix
The cause-and-effect matrix is used to evaluate potential influencing factors (causes or inputs)—which are often gathered from one or more Ishikawa diagrams—against several groups of factors (effects).
In this example, various influencing factors from an Ishikawa diagram were defined as process inputs to determine the impact these inputs have on the three categories of employee qualifications, process quality, and material quality.
Interpretation of the Results
The matrix shows that the completeness of the components (108), followed by assembly errors (108) and the tensile strength of the material (105), have the greatest influence on the three factors of employee qualifications, process quality, and material quality.
Using it in AlphadiTab
- In the Analyze phase, select the “C&E Matrix” tool.
- Use the “+” button to define the number of categorical variables and specify their names and significance for the overall project.
- Define how many rows or influencing factors, e.g., from the Ishikawa diagram, are required as inputs (here, 6 rows).
- Next, define the rating scale, i.e., which ratings are available to you. It is helpful to select only a few so that you have to make a decision during the evaluation.
- Then click “Create Worksheet,” and the sheet will be created in AlphadiTab. You can begin the evaluation line by line.
To perform a cause-and-effect analysis, it is important that the input factors are adjustable.
Inputs = Influencing factors (e.g., from one or more Ishikawa diagrams)
Categorical X = Groups of influencing factors
Significance = The significance (influence) of the categorical variable on the overall project
