software

Process Focus Tools
by Integrated Quality Dynamics
$200


PFT for Windows automates process focus tools. The software helps you gather, sort and analyze information without tedious retyping, cutting and pasting. You can transfer data from any process focus tool to another, or even between two diagrams involving the same tool. The software helps analyze customer needs, determine critical issues, establish effective project schedules and analyze root causes using nine tools.

Minimum system requirements: 386-based, 25 Mhz, IBM-compatible PC; 4 MB RAM (8 MB strongly recommended); 5 MB free disk space; Windows 3.1 or higher; DOS 5.0 or higher; mouse; 3.5" floppy drive; VGA or other Windows-supported video card. Supports Windows 95.

Contact: Integrated Quality Dynamics
(800) 870-4200 or fax (808) 539-3701
iqd@iqd.com or http://www.iqd.com/quality/


It's a Zen thing. In coming up with Process Focus Tools, Integrated Quality Dynamics proved that sometimes less really is more. No fancy, schmancy computations or simulations here. IQD concentrated their efforts on developing a solid, easy-to-use tool kit for planning, implementing, analyzing and improving day-to-day business operations. This relatively inexpensive, no-frills toolbox contains nine of the most familiar graphical tools for successful business strategizing, examination, enhancement and execution.

Easy does it
First, hats off to a manual that's written the way we like it: Tell us what we're going to do, how we're going to do it, lead us through it step by step and give us examples along the way. For users unfamiliar with process planning tools, the first chapter of PFT's manual provides a good primer.

The opening screen for PFT contains nine buttons, one for each of the process planning tools: affinity diagram, affinity tree, tree diagram, l-matrix, fault-tree analysis, relationship diagram, Gantt chart, process-decision-program chart and cause-and-effect diagram.

PFT lets you use the tools exactly the way you would if you were doing this with pen and paper. Select "affinity diagram," for instance. Give it a title (usually the issue under discussion) and then start creating electronic sticky notes that address the issue. Each sticky note can be moved around the screen with the mouse. Group notes with common themes by selecting them with the mouse and pressing the "Group" button. This creates both a visual and internal hierarchy. Use the spell checker to clean up errors.

Here's PFT's hook. When you finish with one tool, drag the results to another. For instance, drag your affinity diagram to the tree diagram tool. Use your mouse to select how much of the data you want to use. PFT automatically draws a tree for you based on your affinity diagram. Branches can be added or deleted from the tree.

Or, drag tree diagram data to an l-matrix (prioritization matrix) to function as action items. Fill out the spreadsheet-like l-matrix table by ranking the value of each row/column intersection (i.e., action item/customer). Based on that input and the weight for each column, the program generates a total for each row. You can use standard l-matrix calculations or create your own.

Each tool took only minutes to learn. Tools can be used independently or, as mentioned, be based on other tool results. All tools used for a project can be saved in a project file. Any time that project is loaded, all charts created for that particular project appear in a project file list.

Now the down side. You can view charts only at 100 percent or 50 percent. At 100 percent, many charts (particularly trees) are too big to easily view without extensive scrolling; at 50 percent, text is too small to read on a 14-inch monitor. Additionally, unlike other programs, PFT does not allow one process chart to link to a subprocess chart, meaning you must manually open up another process file in order to view a subprocess-a tad tedious.

Nonetheless, at less than half the cost of other tools we've looked at, Process Focus Tools is a useful program, particularly for quality professionals on a tight budget. Also, IQD has just released an add-on to this software called PFT Professional for Windows, which features nine SPC tools. Discounted upgrades are available.