Purpose
The method helps clarify options, criteria, and risks concretely. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as an ABC Classification, Focus Rules, and Control List.
Operations
ABC Analysis
Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by collecting items or causes, choosing a metric, and prioritizing top factors.
Which items belong in A, B, and C, and which treatment rule follows from each class?
LowAsync30-60 min
How it works
The team follows the steps: collect items and a scoring metric, calculate values, sort items, form A/B/C classes, and define control rules. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, an ABC Classification, Focus Rules, and Control List are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Flow
- 1Collect items and a scoring metric
- 2Calculate values
- 3Sort items
- 4Form A/B/C classes
- 5Set control rules
The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Portfolio triage
- Inventory management
- Operational prioritization
Not good for
- User-centered discovery
- Decisions without a metric
Deep dive
In detail
ABC Analysis follows a clear working logic: collect items and a scoring metric, calculate values, sort items, form A/B/C classes, and set control rules. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. As a result, an ABC Classification, Focus Rules, and Control List support decisions, learning, or further planning.
Facilitation
Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 30-60 min with 1-5 people and use the format either in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation stays lightweight; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.
Output artifacts
ABC ClassificationFocus RulesControl List
Artifact templates
ABC Analysis Working TemplateCompact working template for ABC Analysis with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.markdown
ABC Analysis Working TemplateCompact working template for ABC Analysis with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
markdownabc-analysis-working-template.md
Compact working template for ABC Analysis with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
ABC Analysis Working Template
Goal
Classifies items by importance or value into A, B, and C classes.
Context
When and for what do we use this method?
Input
Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?
Execution
Short notes along the runsheet.
Output artifacts
- ABC Classification:
- Focus Rules:
- Control List:
Assumptions and open questions
- ...
Decision / Next step
Owner, date, and success signal.
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
Pareto Analysis
Statt ABC Analysis, wenn du die wenigen wichtigsten Treiber hinter einem Ergebnis zuerst priorisieren willst.
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