PROCESS DECISION PROGRAM CHART [PDPC Chart]

A PDPC Chart is a method that graphically displays as many alternatives and contingencies that can be determined in advance to strategies for dealing with them can be determined in advance.

A PCPC CHART IS USED FOR:

1. Exploring all of the possible contingencies that could occur in the implementation of any new or untried plan that has risks involved.
2. Implementing a plan that is complex and the consequences of failure are serious.
3. Implementing a plan in which there is generally a time constraint for implementing a plan so that insufficient time is available to deal with contingent problems as they occur.
   
   

STEPS IN CONSTRUCTING A PCPD CHART:

1. Select a team that is familiar with the process and possible contingencies. Typically, this will be a group that has been close to the effort or a similar effort.
   
2. Determine the flow of the activities of the plan and place them on a flow chart or sequence.
   
3. Construct a tree diagram, placing prerequisite activities in a time sequence. This can be done either a horizontal or vertical format.
   
4. At each step, ask "what could go wrong here?" and place that contingency on the chart.
   
5. Determine plausible explanations/solutions to each problem identified above and place the solution on the chart.
   

AN EXAMPLE: