What is an Octopus Map?

[Douglas E. Purdy]

During some recent searches of this forum I saw where David Bradley presented a Process (COP), SIPOC, and something called an 'octopus map.' I would like to know more about how the Octopus Map is developed / used.

Thanks,
Doug

[Icy Mountain]

Using the patented Claes' Two-Window Method, here's a couple of threads:
Octopi, turtles, and COPS, OH MY!
Le Flow de Process
The first one is pretty extensive, with a good attachment from "db".

edit:
Duh! that would be what you were talking about. energy disease: fingers faster than brain. Oh well, good reference!

For example, take the leg of the octopus (see the db diagram) labeled "order request". One side of that leg would be the Purchasing Dept. at XYZ, Inc. (let's call her Shelly). The other side of the leg would be the Receiving, Production Scheduling, Team X and Accounting.

What you are trying to do is define how YOUR process informs XYZ receiving that there is a trainload coming in on Dec 2, XYZ production scheduling that they can expect their JIT shipment to begin processing at XYZ receiving on Dec 2, the XYZ team X production team leader that their kanban request for another trainload has been processed and shipped for Dec 2 receipt, and XYZ accounting that you expect payment for a trainload on Jan 2 after you get an order from Shelly for a trainload.

Anyone else?

[Douglas E. Purdy]

Icy Mountain,

Thanks for the links and description, but I would like more information on the Octopus Diagram / Model. The links did not provide information on how the Octopus Diagram was designed to be utilized. I then searched the internet, and the only information I found was a Special Reprint of The Informed Outlook (July 2002 Issue) titled "How Can You Move From QS-9000 to TS 16949:2002?" (This information was also available on the IATF site or a related site.) The article indicated that the Octopus model is an auditing methodology, which was also indicated in the links you provided. It did not describe how it was designed to be utilized. It did state that it "was discussed at the ISO/TS 16949:2002 Rollout Meeting in April, 2002 and in the IATF registrar training sessions." That was about it!

Since the COP is also utilized in the mapping of a process, I perceived that the Octopus was a tool for mapping a series of processes but did not know how it was utilized, other than the apparent listing of processes that had some sequential relationship.

As for your example, you are indicating that the legs are to be used to identify the funtions that input to the Order Review process and are the output of the process, but then when you go through the series I did not see the relationship of the Design Process. Which would lead me to the question as to how the Octopus Diagram / Model would show those processes that may be performed in parrallel or in conjunction with the overall process.

Doug

[Icy Mountain]

DP,
This is in French but maybe it will help the explanation. Hopefully one of our Canadian friends who parlez Francias can translate.

If my rudimentary French is adequate: "marchandises" flow through process F1 at Port 2000, with the customer (or next processor or result) being "bateliers, armatuers, routiers" which then flow through process F2 to "employes du port".

Please someone translate the F1-FC2 functions.

[Icy Mountain]

Would one of our international members please translate the octopus in this post:Octopus Map

[Douglas E. Purdy]

Icy Mountain,

I appreciate your tenacity in this matter. I take it that you were not part of this 'Rollout Meeting in April, 2002' nor 'in the IATF registrar training sessions.' Maybe someone in the forum would share this information with us and we would not have to get the french examples translated. Wouldn't that be nice!

Thanks,
Doug

[D.Scott]

Originally Posted by Icy Mountain

Would one of our international members please translate the octopus in this post:Octopus Map

Here is the best I can do -

the title is "Diagram of octopus of Project Port 2000"

F1 = "Goods"
F2 = "Boatmen Road Ship-Owners
-- = "Employees of the Port"
FC1 = "Safety"
FC2 = "Environment"

Below the title is "Functions"
F1 = Shipment of Goods
F2 = "Functions of Reception, Service, Maintenance, Control, Supply"
FC1 = "Do not attack fauna and the flora pollution"
FC2 = "Safety Vis-a-Vis the fires, with the (??) (??) safety of the people and the goods"

Hope that helps.

Dave

Originally Posted by Douglas E. Purdy

Icy Mountain,

I appreciate your tenacity in this matter. I take it that you were not part of this 'Rollout Meeting in April, 2002' nor 'in the IATF registrar training sessions.' Maybe someone in the forum would share this information with us and we would not have to get the french examples translated. Wouldn't that be nice!

Thanks,
Doug

I never took French, but this is how I see it. But, Happy Thanksgiving.