Six Sigma Project - Using FMEA in the Analyze Phase

[Chua Kwan Teng]

Hi

I found many Six Sigma projects were just another normal problem solving projects without truly application of the Six Sigma principles and it proper use of tools and techniques.

Taking an example, I saw ine project using FMEA in the Analyze Phase. How can???

Pls comment

Thanks in Advance

KT

[reynald]

Originally Posted by Chua Kwan Teng

Hi

I found many Six Sigma projects were just another normal problem solving projects without truly application of the Six Sigma principles and it proper use of tools and techniques.

Taking an example, I saw ine project using FMEA in the Analyze Phase. How can???

Pls comment

Thanks in Advance

KT

Six Sigma is actually a bunch of Old Tools neatly repacked and sold at a high price. It's end goal is to impact the company's bottom line.
The way i see it (since Six Sigma has a lot of definitions, and has no standard at all)-the Six Sigma deployment has 2 major advantages.
1. The HIGH cost of deployment forces top executives to continously monitor if Six Sigma initiatives do really pay back--this creates focus and attention. (on a similar sense, i once read that Freud(?) advises the Therapists/Counsellors to bill higher than expected. This would make the clients take each sessions seriously). Though it can be said that any project focused and attended to by Top Execs ussually produce good results, Six Sigma was able to direct all this attention to Quality, Variability Reduction, and Yield Improvements.
2. As a consequence of #1, employees down the ladder are becoming more aware of Quality Concepts. It is very usual for a company starting with Six Sigma to catch up with the buzzwords--and some of them may appreciatte what those words really mean. And with the increasing attenntion from the Top guys, there is building pressure to preform well.

There are 2 major Risks though:
1. The rise of Pseudo-Six Sigma Experts-- During Frederick Taylor's time (when Scientific Management was first introduced), there were so called pseudo-experts in SciMgmt field that jumped into the band wagon to get financial gains--they caused more problems than they solved. This damaged the reputation SciMgmt for some time.
2. The possibility of a Westinghouse Effect: --In the end, all the efforts could just be a fad if Top Execs would just focus on the Bottom Line itself and not on the cultural change. As i always say "Unless the CEO builds the Company, the Engineers Labor in vain"

Well just my

[Ajit Basrur]

Originally Posted by Chua Kwan Teng

Hi

I found many Six Sigma projects were just another normal problem solving projects without truly application of the Six Sigma principles and it proper use of tools and techniques.

Taking an example, I saw ine project using FMEA in the Analyze Phase. How can???

Pls comment

Thanks in Advance

KT

Hi KT,

Thanks for your post.

Pl note that I have deleted your email address from the post as we encourage sharing of information here in the cove and not communicating through emails seperately.

This benefits the entire spectrum of the cove and hope you appreciate it too.

[Duke Okes]

Originally Posted by Chua Kwan Teng

Hi
Taking an example, I saw ine project using FMEA in the Analyze Phase. How can???KT

Since the FMEA steps one through the process to identify what could go wrong and what could cause it, it can be useful for identifying factors that one might want to test in a DOE.

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by Duke Okes

Since the FMEA steps one through the process to identify what could go wrong and what could cause it, it can be useful for identifying factors that one might want to test in a DOE.

I agree with Duke.

Consider the use of a "P" Diagram (Parameter Diagram) as well.
I learned to appreciate this very powerful analytical tool.

Stjloor.

[Miner]

Originally Posted by Duke Okes

Since the FMEA steps one through the process to identify what could go wrong and what could cause it, it can be useful for identifying factors that one might want to test in a DOE.

This is correct. The process involves identifying all potential input variables through detailed process mapping, then filtering this through a C/E Matrix, then performing an FMEA on the filtered results to identify potential KPIV's for inclusion in a screening DOE.

This use of an FMEA is different than the normal use in the APQP process where it is more of a risk managment tool.

[Wes Bucey]

FWIW:
The material contained in this thread so far seems to me to be a subset of the material contained in the thread Let's fix Six Sigma!

Is there any interest by readers in merging the two threads?

If yes, click the "report post" button in the upper right corner of this post and register your opinion in the dialog box which pops up. This especially holds true for the original poster, Chua Kwan Teng, whose opinion will hold greatest weight.

If not, simply ignore the issue. Moderators will NOT merge the threads without strong interest from several parties - there is always room for another thread!