94 EXPLANATION

7. PDPC Method
(1) What is the PDPC method?
The PDPC (Process Decision Program Chart) method is an approach used to lead the progress
of processes to the desirable direction as much as possible by predetermining measures against
various assumed situations when future prospects are unclear and difficult to predict.

《Reference: Relationship with the arrow diagram method》

Both the arrow diagram and PDPC can be used to work out a plan for solving pro
However, they are generally used in different cases as described below.
When operations are completely defined → Arrow diagram method
When operations change according to the progress of the situation → PDPC method

(2) Applications of PDPCs

PDPCs are the optimum approach to planning when the situation is fluid and difficult to predict.

Application Example of use

Prepare a PDPC envisaging the entire process from the beginning
Research and
as much as possible for a problem “whose result cannot be
development
predicted until action is taken” or “which cannot always be solved
Promoting new
properly” to find a route that ensures a high probability of success
businesses
and control progress.
Marketing
Predict what the counterpart says or does with a PDPC, and take
Sales activities,
proper action against it.
negotiations
Know in advance anticipated events, such as the counterpart’s
Dealing with
action and the progress of the situation, with a PDPC to avoid
complaints
serious situations.
 EXPLANATION 95

(3) Stages in QC stories at which the affinity diagram method should be used
Problem-solving type Step Issue-achieving type
Selecting a theme 1 Selecting a theme
Planning activities 2 Planning activities
Grasping the current situation 3 Making clear issues
Setting goals 4 Setting goals
Analyzing factors 5 Planning measures ◎
◎ Planning measures 6 Pursuing the optimum measure ○
Carrying out the optimum
Carrying out the measures 7 ○
measure
Confirming the effect of
Confirming the effect of the
8 the
measures
optimum measure
Entrenching and Entrenching and
standardizing 9 standardizing
the measures the optimum measure
Reflecting on the results
Reflecting on the results and
10 and
determining future activities
determining future activities
◎: Frequently used　　○: Used

(4) Combination with other approaches

Approach Combination
• If what will happen is unpredictable because any of the means listed in
Systematic tree
diagram diagram i t i s he o nntroduction
t o i p f h ew e echnologyi t
method matrix
diagram but difficult to realize, use a PDPC to increase feasibility.
• When such uncertain elements as development and negotiations are included
with the
due dat e fi xed a s i n t he case of t he pro mot io n o f a p roj ect , show t he over al
Arrow diagram
schedule
method
in the form of an arrow diagram, and develop only
uncertain
elementinto a PDPC. Schedule control of higher accuracy is feasible.
96 PREPARATION

[Step 1] Determine a theme.

Set as a theme a plan in which many difficulties are expected to occur in the process of
achieving the goal and until it is achieved.

<Points>
• Pick prerequisites, delivery dates, and resources (related departments, personnel,
methods, budget, etc.) that form the basis for the plan.

[Step 2] Determine the start and the goal (target).

Put a card showing the start of the plan, and a card indicating the goal under it.

<Points>
①Write the start and the goal in different colors to make them easy to identify.
(In a PDPC, the goal may not be achieved by giving up the plan halfway, or a second
or third goal may be set.)
② Arrange the start and the goal from up to down or from left to right.

Start Start

Goal Goal
Put the start and the goal in Put the start in the upper left
the center (this layout is area and the goal in the
generally adopted). lower right area.
 EXAMPLE 97

[Step 1] Determine a theme.

Theme: Holding a social gathering for affiliated companies

Prerequisite: Hold a social gathering in Nagoya in February.

[Step 2] Determine the start and the goal (target).

Plan a social gathering.

Hold a social gathering.

98 PREPARATION

[Step 3] Create an optimistic route from the start to the goal.

Consider a rough route from the start to the goal, which imagines how the plan will succeed.
This is called an “optimistic route.”

<Points>
① A PDPC cannot be prepared without deep knowledge of the theme. It must be prepared
by two or more personnel, including an experience person or expert.
② A PDPC uses symbols to make it easier to view. The table below shows the
symbols generally used.

Symbol Name Meaning Example

The trigger of the problem

Start The purpose of problem Plan a social gathering.
solution

Goal achieved
Goal Hold a social gathering.
Problem solved

The action one takes at his/her

Request an interview.
Action own discretion
Find a venue.

A request for an interview

The state revealed as a result
State is denied.
of taking action
No venue is found.
Action or a state branched into Succeed.
two or more ways (*1).
Branch The passage of time or the
Fail.
sequence of the progress of
an event (*2)
The passage of time or the
Arrow sequence of the progress of
an event (*2)

Thick arrow Implemented route

*1: Using a branch symbol at all branches may make the PDPC difficult to view. One of the
ways to avoid it is using a branch symbol only for points that must be particularly
emphasized as a branch.
*2: The length of an arrow does not reflect the period of time.
 EXAMPLE 99

[Step 3] Create an optimistic route from the start to the goal.

Plan a social
gathering.

Ask the president

when he is free.

Determine the date,

time, and fee of the
social gathering.

Find a venue.

A venue is found.

Check the contact.

The contact is
identified.

Ask attendance in
writing.

Written replies are

returned.

Confirm the
attendance rate.

The attendance rate

is 70% or over.

Hold the social

gathering.
100 PREPARATION

[Step 4] Predict pessimistic events, and consider measures against them.

If, as a result of the action of the optimistic route set in Step 3, any pessimistic event is expected,
pick that event, and consider a measure against it to return to the optimistic route.

<Points>
① By considering measures against as many pessimistic events as possible, it will be
easier for you to deal with such events even if you actually face them.
② Do not make a loop-shaped route that brings you back to a previous step as a measure
against a pessimistic event. It is important to consider action to carry out the optimistic
route wherever possible by changing conditions even in similar situations, except when
a loop-shaped route must be used.
③ If there is no way to reach the set goal, set a second or third goal, and work out a plan to
achieve it.
④ If you hit upon no measure at present, put a question mark, and write one later.

？
 EXAMPLE 101

[Step 4] Predict pessimistic events, and consider measures against them.

Plan a social
gathering.

Ask the president

when he is free.

Determine the date,

time, and fee of the
social gathering.

Find another The venue is not available

The price is Find a venue. Reconsider the
on the scheduled date
venue. high. date and time.
and time.

No venue is A venue is found.

found.

Check the contact. The contact cannot Ask a related

Increase the be identified. department to check it.
fee.

The contact is
identified.

Ask attendance in
writing.

Give the personnel

concerned a call to
request them to
Written replies are Written replies are
reply in writing.
not returned. returned.

Confirm the
attendance rate. The attendance
rate is about 50%.

Consider reducing the

scale of the social gathering.
The attendance rate
The attendance rate
is 30% or below.
is 70% or over. Contact the venue.

Put off the social gathering. Hold the social gathering. Hold the social gathering
on a reduced scale.
102 PREPARATION

[Step 5] Enter necessary information.

Enter the theme, the date of preparation, the person(s) who prepared the diagram, and a
summary.
 EXERCISE 103

[Step 5] Enter necessary information.

Theme: Holding a social gathering

for affiliated companies Plan a social
gathering.
Prerequisite: Hold a social gathering
in Nagoya in February.
Ask the president
when he is free.

Determine the date,

time, and fee of the
social gathering.

Accident-prevention
Find another The venue is not available
The price is Find a venue.
policy for explosion Reconsider the
of reaction tank on the scheduled date
venue. high. date and time.
and time.

Cause ofNo
firevenue Static condition Inflammables Below Combustion agent
isPotential AVapor
venue
　Reduce static danger
A : 200kV fromis found.
solvent lower
found. B : 50kV limit
Reduce O2
　to below ignition over 20 kV C : 5kV
　point Within
Cool O 2 density O2 density
Safe potential WorkCheck
above limit
the contact. The contact cannot Ask a related
Increase the 10 ～ 21 below
under 5 kV explosion be identified.percent department
10 percent to check it.
fee. upper limit Impossible Danger
　Remove ionization temperature:
by steam X -25°～ 75° Find the Cartridge
Impossible to work

Other method
The contact
under normal pressure is correlation method
X demerit due to when tank is openidentified. between
moisture Impossible
solvent gas
X density
& ignition
Ask attendance in
Reconsider writing. Difficult

Give the personnel

X
concerned a call to
request them to
Written replies are Written replies are
Impossible because Aller preparation orders Complicated processes
reply in writing.
not returned.
meter's load is returned. but safety is high
too large Prepare ingredient A first (further consideration for
possible implementation)
Confirm the
attendance rate. The attendance
Gas density in After preparation When preparing Unavailable due to
relation to resin residue examine condition solvent after rate is about 50%.
operability
of operative agent A 's pretreatment: X
tank ・ remove ionization
・ reduce O 2 Consider reducing the
Dry ionization for
If large Empty If small scale of the social gathering.
ingredient A is
amount of the amount of ・ Prep time
The attendance rate impossible
resin residue bottom resin residue ・ Previous
The data
attendance rate
is 30% or below. Inactivation by X
is 70% or over.
use of CO 2Contact
gas the venue.
Dry out Test start the
Test gas Develop a
reaction tank
density method for
in 10　　
Ｓ tank emptying
Take data, good
5 Ｓ OK
Put off the social gathering.
possibility for Hold the social10gathering.
Ｓ Hold the social gathering
Cannot decrease implementation on a reduced scale.
below limit Must lower O 2
Horsepower
density below
increase
X Prepared on: May Study
Take data from 11, practical
2005　Prepared by: Hinagiku, Hasegawa, Ochiai
12 percent
each reaction tank plants for exhaust

Explosion lower Operation is possible Consider the

By adding the same
limit is 17,000 ppm due to preprocessing tank of
quantity of CO 2 in the
Decide upon method of ingredient A CO2 gas
reaction tank, decrease
to keep gas density
Gas density control O 2density below
below 1000 ppm.
standard is below 12 percent. OK
1000 ppm is OK. Solve by
13,000 ppm
rearranging
combinations ・ Bold has indicate the process of initial consideration.
・ Thin lines indicate processes considered after the PDPC
chart was prepared.
・ Dotted lines indicate information movement.
104 EXERCISE

Theme: Example in which a solution was discovered by writing a PDPC chart for the process of a
study