Continuous
Process Improvement
Basic
Quality Tools Workshop
Existing business processes are frequently plagued by
problems and issues that negatively impact performance. Often these issues have existed for a very
long period of time. Sometimes the organization
is well aware of their existence, but is at a loss as to what to do. People involved in the process will “learn to
live with” these problems over time, or “work around them” in order to get the
job done. As a result, the organization
accepts them as business as usual,
and they become an integral part of the existing process.
Why does this happen?
Is it that people do not want
to address these issues and solve their problems? Not likely.
More likely, there is another reason.
Perhaps the organization is unaware of the very existence of the issue
or problem (“I never realized this is what we have to go through day in and day out”), or the
organization is unaware of the actual cost
of the continued acceptance of the problem (“It’s no big deal. It only takes me a few extra minutes to
straighten it out every time it
happens.”). In other cases, the
organization attempted to address the issue or problem in the past, and failed
to accurately determine if it was indeed successful in its attempt (“I thought
we fixed that problem six months ago.
You mean it is still
happening?”), or the organization attempted to address the issue or problem in
the past, and failed to successfully resolve it. Ultimately the organization “gives up” (“We
tried everything. I don’t know what else to do”).
What is missing is a basic Process Improvement
methodology. Every company needs
available to it a Process Improvement methodology. Further, every company must practice this methodology
whenever opportunities arise. In this
way, the probability of success of resolving the various issues that plague
process performance will be increased.
There are several methodologies available - all are effective when
properly used. This workshop will make
use of a seven step approach that guides an individual or group of people
through a process improvement effort, in a simple, organized manner. Based on Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)
cycle this seven step approach takes “Plan” and breaks it into several easy to
follow steps.
This workshop will also cover the basic quality tools
such as: Process Mapping, basic statistics, Pareto Charts, Run Charts,
Histograms, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Mistake Proofing and others. The approach and the specific tools are
listed on the next page. The one day
workshop can be expanded to include more application based exercises relating
to actual processes and problems within a company.
Duration: 1
day
Who
should attend: any person in any position of an organization can benefit by
attending this workshop.
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Change
Management Associates Tele: 856-235-8051 • Website:
cma4results.com |
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Seven
Steps to Process Improvement
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1. Understand the
Process & Collect Opportunities. Techniques: Data Collection, Surveys, Flow Charting,
Brainstorming, Affinity Diagramming (Storyboarding). |
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2. Prioritize & Select Improvement Opportunities. Techniques: Data Analysis, Statistical, Graphical (Pareto, Histograms, Run Charts, S-I Gap), Nominal Group Technique. |
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3. Analyze Root Causes. Techniques: Cause/Effect Diagrams, 5 WHY's,
Brainstorming. |
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4. Select Solutions Techniques: Flow Charting, Brainstorming, Storyboarding, Nominal Group Technique, Impact vs. Effort, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Mistake Proofing |
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5. Do Techniques: Action Plans, Gantt Charts |
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6. Check Techniques: Data Collection and Analysis, Surveys, Statistical and Graphical (Histograms, Run Charts, Pareto, S-I Gap). |
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7. Act (to make a permanent part of the process) Techniques: Work Station Control Plans, Process Control Charts, Update procedures & policies, Provide training, Communicate changes. |
