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Tools Article Archive
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Quality Spotlight Archive | Management Spotlight Archive | Tools Spotlight Archive Readers' Choice: View All Top-Rated Articles Archives by Year: 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 - Current Reality Tree Helps to Identify Hidden Barriers
Lean Six Sigma projects are a learning journey and, unfortunately, can become delayed. In this case study, a project team made time to analyze progress slowdowns using a reality tree and was able to determine solutions for keeping projects on track. Read the full article. November 16, 2009
- Using Effective Metrics to Measure Production Test Flow
When undertaking a Six Sigma project to enhance production tests, choosing the right metrics is key. When selecting metrics, practitioners should consider the strengths and weaknesses of various traditional and alternative production test metrics. Read the full article. November 9, 2009
- Select Projects Using Evaluation and Decision Tools
Project selection starts with generating ideas. The challenge is to find the ones that can grow into beneficial projects. Practitioners can use an organized approach to help narrow down the ideas that can be best converted into projects. Read the full article. November 2, 2009
- Carefully Planned Kaizens Can Lead to Immediate Change
Organizations considering kaizen events must be ready to make a commitment to change management by properly preparing attendees for the goals of the event, executing the event smoothly and implementing solutions in a timely and effective manner. Read the full article. October 26, 2009
- Analyze Data with Template for Dynamic Pareto Charts
While working in environments where costly software is not easily accessible across the organization, an Excel-based Pareto chart can come in handy. A dynamic Pareto chart template can be a practical aid to practitioners in this situation. Read the full article. September 7, 2009
- Tips for Recognizing and Transforming Non-normal Data
Practitioners can benefit from an overview of normal and non-normal distributions, as well as familiarizing themselves with some simple tools to detect non-normality and techniques to accurately determine whether a process is in control and capable. Read the full article. August 24, 2009
- Building Valuable Process Maps Takes Skill and Time
A great process map should show where improvements can be made, where cycle time delays exist and where smooth handoffs are not taking place. Creating a process map should be the first act a company performs when seeking to make process improvements. Read the full article. August 10, 2009
- Kaizen with Six Sigma Ensures Continuous Improvement
Kaizen aims to eliminate waste in all systems of an organization through improving standardized activities and processes. By understanding the basics of Kaizen, practitioners can integrate this method into their overall Six Sigma efforts. Read the full article. June 8, 2009
- Prioritization Matrix Is Made Easier with a Template
The prioritization matrix is a great tool, but it is not used much. The reason is probably because it takes a lot of time to do manually, and it can be confusing. To make it more usable, this article provides an automated template for using the tool. Read the full article. May 25, 2009
- See Long- and Short-term Results with a 3-6-12-24 Plan
A major dilemma companies face today is the pressure to deliver short-term improvements and benefits while still contributing to longer-term breakthrough objectives. The 3-6-12-24 planning tool helps practitioners find a way out of this predicament. Read the full article. May 4, 2009
- To Save Cost, Set Product Warranties Based on Quality
By reviewing quality assurance concepts – reliability, failure rate and product life history – that can be used during DMAIC and DMADV, practitioners can allow for better business decisions regarding establishing appropriate product warranties. Read the full article. April 27, 2009
- The Seven Intelligences: Enhance Six Sigma Training
Howard Gardner suggests that every person has a unique combination of multiple intelligences. Understanding what these intelligences can help practitioners design a variety of ways to better communicate lessons about Six Sigma. Read the full article. April 13, 2009
- Lessons from Crusoe on Project Resource Allocation
A smart resource allocation strategy should be aligned with the results of analysis of past projects. This analysis should be combined with predictions for future-based elements such as probability of success and projected return on investment. Read the full article. March 30, 2009
- Process Maps and FMEA Help Prepare Utility for Disaster
Six Sigma contains many tools that can be used to improve processes and prevent failures, regardless of whether the full DMAIC roadmap is used. Two tools, process maps and the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), were applied in this case study. Read the full article. March 2, 2009
- Process, Product and People: 3P Approach to Quality
Quality management should be a holistic approach. Process, product and people are the three key elements of a company’s quality system and all of them need to be focused on for an overall improvement in performance. Read the full article. February 16, 2009
- Leverage Innovation and Six Sigma to Grow Revenue
Through a case study from a city-based restaurant, practitioners can see the possibilities for turning around a business by using Prahalad and Krishnan’s two complementary innovation principles in combination with Lean Six Sigma. Read the full article. January 29, 2009
- Discriminant Analysis Can Minimize Returned Products
By using the discriminant analysis function within statistical software packages, managers can classify future production volume and work to separate defective products on the production line before they are delivered to customers. Read the full article. January 26, 2009
- Resolving Common Issues with Performance Indices
To resolve measurement issues, practitioners need a common measurement for making process stability and capability assessments at all levels of a business, independent of who is making the assessment – something beyond Cp, Cpk, Pp and Ppk. Read the full article. January 19, 2009
- Designing and Analyzing Experiments with Mixtures
In the development phase of DFSS, practitioners frequently deal with experiments to determine optimal ingredient mixtures for desired products. An example from the medical device industry helps outline these experiments in a step-by-step process. Read the full article. January 5, 2009
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