Use an affinity diagram to brainstorm and identify root causes of the organizational problem and potential solutions for addressing it.

Now that you have identified the basic problem you want to resolve within the research industry you will need to think about root causes for the problem. Read the Topic Materials and the "Brainstorming with an Affinity Diagram" handout to help you narrow and specify the cause(s) for the problem.

Complete the affinity diagram action steps outlined on the "Brainstorming with an Affinity Diagram" handout, including the "Five Whys Root Causes Analysis." This can be done using online mind mapping resources like those found in the Topic Materials, by using post-it notes, or through the use of Excel or Word documents and tables. When constructing the affinity diagram, be sure to complete all six steps described on the handout. You will reference these root causes

Assumption: Organizational Problem is missing of delivery date.

Affinity Diagram:

This diagram allows the quality team to creatively generate a large number of issues/ideas and then logically group them for problem understanding and possible breakthrough solutions.

Steps are:

To state issue in a full sentence.

What are the issues involved in Missing shipping date?

Brainstorm using short sentences

Not enough fork trucks, No place for return, Computer crashes, Insufficient training, overcrowded dock, Teams not used, inexperienced supervisors, Engineering Changes, Shipping turnover, Error on bill of (adding

Post them for the team to see. Posting the above brainstormed ideas for the team to see and update with new one

Sort ideas into logical group

Group 1: Overcrowded dock, No place for returns, not enough for Trucks.