ABB Basic Quality Tools Series

Tree Diagram
Method for mapping, in detail, the full range of paths
and tasks that need to be accomplished to achieve a
primary goal and sub-goal
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15 July 2010, Slide 1
 Tree Diagram - Content
What is it for?
To break down a subject into lower-level hierarchical components.
Where could I use it?
When planning - to define the necessary activities.
When problem solving - to analyse cause and effect.
When understanding the construction of a product. Sell more to
existing customers
When analysing a process - splitting it into sub-processes.
Increase Improve
How do I use it? volume brand image

Define the subject. Increase Increase

customer base

Revenue
Identify subject components.
Clarify components. Reduce
production costs

Look for gaps - top down. Change

prices

Look for gaps - bottom up. Develop

new products

Risks and how to avoid them

Example

ABB Group 9AKK105151D0108

15 July 2010, Slide 2
 Tree Diagram - What is it for?
Uses of this tool:
The Tree Diagram is used to systematically break down an item, such as a process or product, into
its lower-level hierarchical components.
The visual nature of the tree helps with communication about the subject.

Expected Benefits:
Provides a thorough understanding of a subject.
Provides a logical trail that can be checked either top down or bottom up.
Provides team building opportunities.

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15 July 2010, Slide 3
 Tree Diagram - Where could I use it?
Background:
There are many situations in business where
things are arranged in hierarchies. The Tree
Diagram helps identify this.
The Tree Diagram is one of the seven new
tools.
.
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15 July 2010, Slide 4
Uses:
When analysing or designing a process - to
understand the sub-processes and activities.
In analysing as is situations, to identify causes,
process elements, product components and so
on.
In planning, to map out all the necessary,
manageable and assignable tasks that must be
completed to fulfil a goal.
In designing should be solutions, such as when
creating a new product.
 Tree Diagram - How do I use it?
Procedure and Guidance Notes:
Defining the subject in a clear and simple statement. It will not be clear, at the outset, what the final
Reduce the statement down to a short verb-object form, write this on a shape will look like so use cards on a flipchart
Define the card or Post-it Note and put at the left side of the diagram. or board that can be rearranged.
subject Specify how you will know when the lowest level of breakdown is Alternatively, use a computer program such as
reached Powerpoint.

Identify the next level down components for example ideas on how Consistently use simple questions such as:
to achieve an objective, major causes of a problem, key components What must be done to achieve this
Identify subject of a product or sub-processes of a process.. What are the physical parts of this
components Why does this happen

Clarify the components when the level has been completed.

Ensure everyone understands each component. Consider each successive layer as parent and
child relationships.
Clarify Reduce each statement down to a simple verb-object form.
Ensure that each child has a direct relationship
components Write them on cards or Post-it Notes and put them to the right of the
to its parent. If not, rephrase the card.
component to which they relate.
Each parent will typically have 2 to 4 children.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the tree is completed.

Starting from the left hand side of the Tree Diagram, look for gaps in Ask the question do the children represent their
Look for gaps - the logic. Does each parent relate down to its children i.e are they at parent well
top down the right level. If not, rearrange the cards.

Ask the questions:

Starting from the lowest level, challenge each level to ensure that
Look for gaps - If these are done, will the next level up be
there are no gaps, duplication or redundancy.
bottom up achieved?
Are these actions really necessary

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15 July 2010, Slide 5
 Tree Diagram - Risks and how to avoid them:
Risks :
Jumping to a solution without completing the
Tree Diagram.
The tree becomes very wide early on, making it
difficult to see if there are gaps.
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15 July 2010, Slide 6
Steps to avoid them :
Ensure that there is a logical link between the
parents and children.
Check that all cards are in their correct positions
so that there is a clear chain from the subject
statement down to each base component.
This may be a symptom of going down into
detail too quickly. Challenge any parent cards
with more than 4 child cards.
This may also be a sign that statements are not
clear, that people are interpreting differently and
the scope is therefore widening. Ensure that the
subject statement is clearly understood and that
component statements are clarified at each
level.
 Tree Diagram - Example
1. Define the subject
Identify ways in which the
revenue of the company can Provide discounts
be increased Sell more to
existing customers
Cross sell

Change logo
Increase Improve
volume brand image
Increase advertisements

Extend geography - Europe

Increase Increase
Revenue customer base
Extend geography - USA

Explore technology
Reduce
2. Identify subject production costs
Reduce waste
components Change
prices
Extend the range
Develop
new products
Enter new markets
=?
3. Clarify components
5. Look for gaps
bottom up
4. Look for gaps
top down

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15 July 2010, Slide 7