A black belt has identified the following key input (X) and output (Y) variables for the process of laundering your clothes in your washing machine at home:
Input (X) Variables Output (Y) Variables
Sort laundry ...........Clothes clean
Cycle ............Clothes not damaged
Wash temperature ..........Colors okay
Rinse temperature ..............Lint free
Stain treatment ..........Stains removed
Load size .........Smell fresh/no odors
Fabric softener
Detergent
Bleach
Type of washer

Develop a cause-and-effect diagram for this process of washing clothes. Next develop a cause-and-effect matrix and use your own insight and judgment about the process to rank and weight the output (Y ) variables, assign a numerical score to each X-Y combination, develop overall scores for each X variable, and then rank the X variables in terms of importance.