IDA (Information, Decision, Action)

THE BIG IDEA

Most companies place too much emphasis on results (looking backward) and too little emphasis on the factors that drive results: Information (the basis for effective decisions), Decision (making effective decisions), and Action (transforming decisions to results). Download the IDA Model PDF.

What Is IDA?

IDA is one of the easiest and most effective models for improving results in almost anything you do. How? Rather than spending time trying to manage results, which are by their very nature rooted in the past, IDA emphasizes the three factors that drive results:

Note: IDA was developed through pioneering work by OptimumFX, who are UK-based thought leaders and experts on manufacturing improvement.

Why Use the IDA Model?

IDA is simple enough to be understood by all employees and broad enough to serve as a framework for forwarding the goals of the business. By establishing behaviors that optimize the inputs (Information, Decision, and Action), the outputs (Results) will take care of themselves:

• Generate accurate and relevant data that is understood by all stakeholders (Information)
• Establish standardized processes aligned across the business for making high-quality, timely, and effective decisions (Decision)
• Apply decisions quickly and consistently to create tangible progress (Action)

IDA Framework

The IDA framework includes all three factors (Information, Decision, and Action) and can be expressed as an equation (much like OEE):

A Simple IDA Example

Imagine you are a pilot and it's your job to safely fly passengers from Chicago to London. In each of the following three scenarios there is an IDA problem that will prevent you from meeting your objective:

• The gauges are inaccurate or broken (Information problem)
• The gauges are accurate but you don't use them (Decision problem)
• The gauges are accurate and you look at them; but you don't make any adjustments to the flight controls (Action problem)

In other words, all three factors (Information, Decision, and Action) are necessary in order to achieve a good result.

Results Versus Objectives

It is interesting to think about the difference between results and objectives from the perspective of IDA.

In the IDA model, results take care of themselves. Instead of obsessing about outputs (Results), the emphasis is on the inputs (Information, Decision and Action) that lead to great results.

On the other hand, objectives are forward-looking and as such inform IDA. Specifically, given a set of objectives, work backwards to determine an optimal set of Information, Decision, and Actions. Applying IDA will reinforce the behaviors necessary to deliver the desired objectives.

Benefits of the IDA Model

In the short term, IDA is a simple framework for training employees to improve results by leveraging Information, Decision, and Actions.

In the long term, IDA helps to achieve optimal results by ensuring all three factors (Information x Decision x Action) are present and balanced.

Team Member Roles

IDA involves the following roles:

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Key Insights

Apply IDA Across Your Business

Every level of your business can benefit from IDA (i.e., using high-quality information to drive effective actions). The scope and nature of each factor changes as it is applied to different levels, as shown below.

Tips on IDA: Information

Prefer Quality Over Quantity

It's relatively easy to capture information, but much harder to ensure that captured information is accurate and actionable. As a result, many companies capture reams of information, much of which is not used or useful. Instead, measure only what you need to make effective decisions now. Audit and improve accuracy. Eliminate everything else.

Get it Right at the Source

The majority of manufacturing information comes directly from the factory floor. Put processes in place to ensure that data is accurately collected and automate data capture wherever possible.

Tips on IDA: Decision

Run Great Meetings

The key to effective decisions are Great Meetings. Great meetings are standardized, positive, energetic, action-oriented, idea-focused, and forward-focused. Define what great meetings look like for your organization, then train and coach teams to sustain this standard.

Align Across Levels

There is an art to performing actions in a congruent way across a business. A highly effective tool for this is Structured Improvement, which aligns meetings across a business in a way that coordinates actions and sets clear scope boundaries (avoiding duplication of work).

Tips on IDA: Action

Use the Best Tool for the Job

There are many manufacturing improvement tools available through Lean Manufacturing, Theory of Constraints, Six Sigma, etc. Pick the tool that's most appropriate based on the available Information.

Get it Done

Once an action has been identified, complete it fully or escalate it to a higher level. Prefer small and frequent actions in the spirit of Agile.

Level and Difficulty

The Level is Foundation. IDA can dramatically improve results by focusing on the factors that truly influence those results.

The Difficulty is Easy. The concepts of IDA are straightforward and easy to explain at any level of the business.

Rate Your Ida Framework

How good is your site at IDA? Answer ten simple questions to see how close you are to a model implementation.

Comments or Questions?

We welcome your comments and questions. Contact us at: [email protected].