What method breaks down broad categories into more specific levels?

The tree diagram is a hierarchical structure that allows for the breakdown of broad categories into increasingly specific levels. This method is particularly useful in quality management and analysis as it visually represents the relationships between different categories and subcategories. By starting with a general concept at the top, the tree diagram branches out to show finer details, making complex information more manageable and easier to understand.

This tool is effective in various applications, such as project planning, problem-solving, or organizing thoughts and ideas. It helps teams clarify their objectives and identify all necessary elements or tasks that contribute to achieving a particular goal, facilitating better communication and decision-making.

In contrast, the other methods listed serve different purposes. The activity network diagram is used to represent project tasks and their interdependencies, the matrix diagram explores relationships between different categories in a tabular format, and the process decision program chart focuses on identifying potential risks associated with a process. While useful in their own contexts, these methods do not specifically aim to break down categories into more precise levels like the tree diagram does.