Quality Improvement Tools

Applying Quality Improvement Tools To An Order Fulfillment Process, pages 565-567. Read the case study and discuss the three questions at the end of the case.

Explain how the process the team followed might align with DMAIC, the Deming Cycle, and the creative problem solving process described in Chapter 7.

- DMAIC ->(Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control):

1. The first step in this process is Defining the current situation by setting objectives and forming the project team. Management initiates the approach and choose a project team to analyze the situation.

2. The second step is Measure; this is where the project team acknowledged that the variable they need to measure was actually the time each order entered and left the various areas within the activity.

3. The third is Analyzing which generally involves collecting data. The team analyzing the average weekly time to complete process orders for this step.

4. In the Improvement step, the team discovers solutions to the process's problem. They deduced through analyzing the pushing carts how small they actually were, which led them to use longer carts.

5. The last step of the DMAIC process is Control; after observing the way the new carts work, they found how effective the time reduction was per process order.

- The Deming Cycle "Plan, Do, Study, Act":

1. Planning: In this stage the team identified problems and proposals for possible action items within the project. The problem was discovered and resolved through the dissolution of small cats in exchange for larger ones. It was important for the team to consider the strengths of each member before any action could take place. Everyone wants champions on their team, not prisoners.

2. Do: A trail process was implemented by the team as they tested several carts sizes. They followed through several steps and process included theory improvement, display data collection, and document approvals. Additional ideas for the team to implement would be check sheets, flowcharts and run charts.

3. Study: After evaluating the results from stage two, the team found the process after thoroughly studying. They tested the improvements under monitored conditions and went with their gut instinct.

4. Act: The team implemented the plan through the use of larger carts for increased levels of efficiency. The team continued to examine and re-examine the process using the PDSA cycle, by standardizing the improvement or developing a new theory, and establishing future plans.

- Creative Problem Solving Process:

The manager identified the problem of the time delay in quickly