Analytical techniques

An analytical technique (analytical method) is a procedure or a method for the analysis of some problem, status or a fact. Analytical techniques are usually time-limited and task-limited. They are used once to solve a specific issue. Opposed to management methods that affect management of the organization in a longer term.

In practice there are used a lot of quite simple analytical techniques that managers and analysts use during normal work. Often without naming it somehow. For such techniques, it is often enough just a system of “paper-pencil,” or general office equipment. They are based primarily on the experience of the person who uses them. There are also a number of specialized analytical techniques, which are overwhelmingly based on some mathematical model or which require certain equipment or tools.

Basic and most widely used analytical methods / techniques include:

• BCG matrix
• Brainstorming
• Benchmarking
• Gap Analysis
• Mind Maps
• Pareto principle, Pareto principle 80-20 rule
• Six Questions
• SWOT Analysis

Organizations are complex systems and therefore their needs are satisfied using different system analysis methods and enterprise architecture description methods:

• EA (Enterprise Architecture)
• Job Analysis
• Job Description
• Job Specification
• Organizational Architecture
• Reengineering
• Social Network Analysis
• Sociogram
• Sociometry

These analytical techniques and methods are used for analysis and evaluation of an organization management:

• EFQM Excellence Model
• Malcolm Baldrige Framework
• CAF (Common Assessment Framework) - for public sector
• Process Audit (group of techniquest for process analysis)
• Financial Audit
• Personnel Audit
• CMM – Capability Maturity Model

Analytical techniques for searching the causes of negative phenomena in organizations and systems:

• ETA (Event Tree Analysis)
• FTA (Fault Tree Analysis)
• FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis)
• HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Analysis)
• Ishikawa diagram – Cause and Effect Analysis
• PHA (Preliminary Hazard Analysis)

For solving various problems in the organization, there are different methods of decision making methods used such as:

• Marketing Mix 4P
• Action Research
• Box-Jenkins Methodology
• CCM (Critical Chain Method)
• Contingency Approach
• Control chart
• CPM (Critical Path Method)
• Davidson’s break
• DBR (Drum Buffer Rope)
• Development diagram
• DOE (Design of Experiments)
• Eisenhower principle
• Equifinality principle
• Five Forces Analysis
• G8D (Global Eight Disciplines)
• General approach to problem solving
• Histogram
• Checkland‘s methodology
• Ishikawa diagram – Cause and Effect Analysis
• Mind maps
• MSA (Measurement System Analysis)
• NIMSAD Model
• Overcoming groupthink
• Paradox of Mintzberg
• Parallel teams
• Pareto Principle
• PESTLE analysis
• PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
• QFD (Quality Function Deployment) – deployment of customer requirements, House of quality
• Regression Analysis
• Run chart
• Scatter diagram
• Sloan Filter
• SPC (Statistical process Control)
• Swapping
• TOC (Theory of Constraints)
• Value Stream Mapping
• VRIO analysis
• WIBI (Would I Buy It?)

There are also a variety of simulation and optimization methods, whose object is a calculation of possible developmental variants while creating operational and strategic plans:

• Forecasting
• Impact analysis
• Monte Carlo Method
• Network Analysis Methods
• Space Optimization