Michael Watts

Non-value-added is the work your customer is not paying you to perform.

DMAIC is a data-driven process-improvement methodology. Let’s look at how DMAIC compares to other problem-solving processes as well as the benefits of using DMAIC when solving a complex problem.

Y=f(x) is a concept regarding the setup of a formula used to perform analysis during problem-solving efforts. Let’s look at how Y=F(x) works within the problem-solving process, the benefits of Y=F(x), as well as some frequently asked questions.

Tribal knowledge is the information regarding a product or service process that resides only in the minds of the employees. Familiarize yourself with how non-documented tribal knowledge creates inefficiencies within the process, and understand the benefits of addressing these gaps.

Gain a better understanding of value stream mapping and how you can use it in your business. We’ll cover the flow, department interactions, bottleneck identification, and key metrics — as well as a few best practices.

The upper specification limit represents the highest limit that a measurement or reading can reach and still be acceptable to the customer. There are several benefits of monitoring USL and determining if a process can satisfy customer requirements.

So, you’ve decided to tackle a key process improvement project. You have your problem statement and scope set up, and now you need to determine who will be assigned to the core project team. Who needs to be on the team to maximize your probability of success? There’s a term for those individuals: subject matter […]

The customer just placed a new order requesting 100 widgets by the end of the week. If we keep producing at our current rate, will our cycle time be able to provide the parts in time? What is the rate we must produce the widgets to meet their deadline? Well, that rate has a name, […]

Learn the benefits of standard work, including how it is used to reduce variability within processes, assists faster training timeframes, and provides a starting point for process improvement projects.

The root cause is the true factor that leads to a condition or non-conformance. Let’s look at how root cause compares to symptoms, the benefits of attending to a root cause, and some common tools you can use to uncover the root cause.

Learn the benefits of tracking sigma level, including how it is used to understand how the current quality capabilities match with customer expectations, where future process improvement opportunities lie, and how to verify results.

Your company has just announced that its product line has a 100% total throughput rate, touting it as a great win for everyone. However, from your perspective, you see massive amounts of rework being performed, disrupting the production lines, costing additional money, and impacting on-time delivery. If only there was an easy-to-see metric that could […]

The economical method of setting the control limits of a process to a specific level is known as natural tolerance. Natural tolerances work well for typical desired levels of control and are useful for reviewing the practicality of the specification limits.

Learn more about the lower specification limit — in other words, the lowest limit that a measurement or reading can reach and still be acceptable to the customer. We’ll look at the benefits of monitoring LSL as well as some best practices and frequently asked questions.

The purchasing department manager left another message, informing the planning department that they once again sent over a request for a quote that didn’t contain all the information needed to place the order.  It’s a problem that seems to keep repeating, but is it truly that impactful an issue? To better understand the situation, the […]

Exit criteria exists to keep your development and process improvement teams honest about your true current state. This article discusses exit criteria and its place within any tollgate system. It covers the benefits of using them as well as the risks of ignoring them.

Defects per opportunity, or DPO, refers to the number of defects that occur in relation to a given number of opportunities for which an error could occur. Let’s consider some of the benefits of measuring and monitoring DPO.

Cost of poor quality, also known as COPQ, are the direct and indirect costs associated with the defects generated by a process. COPQ impacts the financial bottom line in both the short and long term, so it’s important to address quality errors in a timely manner.

Learn how defects per unit is used to understand the quality levels regarding defects, how DPU compares to other yield metrics, and the benefits of regularly measuring the metric.

The customer just called again, wondering if the item they ordered will be on time. Will it? Do your company’s processes make it possible to be on time per the customer’s needs? Tto know that requires understanding how long it takes to produce the product, and that requires knowing your cycle times.  An overview: What […]

“Business value added” refers to the actions the customer may not directly be requiring, but that are necessary for you to stay in business over time. There are safety, preventative, and legal requirements that necessitate these tasks.