Man, Material, Machine, Measurement, Method, and Mother Nature are part of the 6M Method (5M1P). As shown in the 6M Method, these six elements contribute to variation in a process (5M1P). The 6Ms of production mnemonic - Manpower, Method, Machine, Material, Milieu, and Measurement - represents the key dimensions to consider when brainstorming during "cause and effect" problem-solving sessions. An Impact Difficulty Matrix is an important tool in this methodology. This technique assesses the potential impact of each solution as well as the difficulty of implementing it. When solutions are ranked in this manner, the ones requiring the least effort increase to the top of the list for implementation.
