The Harada Method: Templates to Measure Long-term Goal Achievement – Part 2 of 2

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The Harada method helps individuals achieve self-reliance that in turn facilitates a company’s process improvement journey. Part One provides an overview of the method and its genesis. Part Two presents five templates to use to plan a goal, measure the goal’s progress and assess success. An example helps illustrate their practical use. As described in […]

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The Cause and Effect (a.k.a. Fishbone) Diagram

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When utilizing a team approach to problem solving, there are often many opinions as to the problem’s root cause. One way to capture these different ideas and stimulate the team’s brainstorming on root causes is the cause and effect diagram, commonly called a fishbone. The fishbone will help to visually display the many potential causes […]

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Most Practical DOE Explained (with Template)

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For purposes of learning, using, or teaching design of experiments (DOE), one can argue that an eight run array is the most practical and universally applicable array that can be chosen. There are several forms of and names given to the various types of these eight run arrays (e.g., 2^3 Full Factorial, Taguchi L8, 2^4-1 […]

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Six Sigma Project Charter (With Template)

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A project charter is the first step in the Six Sigma methodology. It takes place in the Define step of DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), and the charter can make or break a successful project. It can make it by specifying necessary resources and boundaries that will in turn ensure success; it can break […]

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Final Solution Via Root Cause Analysis (with a Template)

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“Every defect is a treasure, if the company can uncover its cause and work to prevent it across the corporation.” – Kilchiro Toyoda, founder of Toyota When people discover problems, the most frequent response is to rush to find a solution. Finding an immediate fix for the problem is very satisfying no matter how many […]

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Importance of Test Plans/Test Protocol (with a Template)

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Test plans, also called test protocol, are formal documents that typically outline requirements, activities, resources, documentation and schedules to be completed. Some form of test plan should be developed prior to any test. The key reasons for developing test plans are: Preparation: To assure that all reasonable aspects of running a test have been considered. […]

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