Software Justification in a Lean Environment - Convincing Management

[Jay Did]

software justification

I'm having a tough time convincing my management that some form of software is the way to go. They are keen on lean manufacturing, so I thought I'd take that approach.

I'd like to draw the analogy: If someone handles a part several times or is waiting for information, they are candidates for lean manufacturing. Our Quality and Engineering personnel have turned into high priced "power clerks" that have little opportunity to do real work.

I want to show how the quality system is part of a process. This way our focus shifts from managing outcomes to managing and improving processes; from what to do to how to do the processes better.

Can anyone point me to something simple, like a picture or flow chart, that represents the Quality System (APQP, etc.) flow?

Remember the target audience; Simplicity is a must!!!

 

[energy]

Welcome aboard, Jay

jay,

I'm not sure what a "map" would do for you to demonstrate the value of a good software program to your Management. I've attached a pareto chart created by software that is very user friendly. There are 18 fields available that you can customize to your needs to capture data. All fields can be sorted as you choose to create your report. This one was "Queried" for defect types. You can show departments, Suppliers, Customers, etc. The graph is produced automatically with the individual reports that make up the results. There are also many more report options to choose from. Those of you who have this program know who it is. You can demo it free for 30 days, a working program. That's enough time to show your chiefs and demonstrate its capability. I love it. More info? Private message me!

add in: Visited the on-line store and it is on sale until Oct 31, 2002 @ $299 with a $100 Mail-in-Rebate offer. That's $100 less than we paid. Normal price was $500.

 

[M Greenaway]

Always prefer to 'roll my own' using Excel, Word and Access, and a bit of Visio, pumped up with Process Navigator.

 

[Jay Did]

Thanks for the replies, but...

What I had in mind is something like an information flow chart for quality activities, like APQP, nonconformances, etc.. This would show the flow (or handling) of information in a typical "paper" system vs. a flow of information using software design (common database?) to facilitate the quality system.

I'm looking to expose the "double entry" and other wastes that can be eliminated.

 

[energy]

Do you, now?

M Greenaway said:

Always prefer to 'roll my own' using Excel, Word and Access, and a bit of Visio, pumped up with Process Navigator.

Well, you're so much smarter than us unfortunates who have to rely on a canned system to "wow" them with. Some of us pre-date those amazing programs and never had the opportunity to sit behind a desk and "experiment". We had something more important to do. Like, WORK

 

[M Greenaway]

Sorry energy, always thought you were too busy in this place , anyway some of us dont have a huge budget to spunk up the wall on software that doesnt actually do what we want

 

[energy]

The price of a lunch?

M Greenaway said:

Sorry energy, always thought you were too busy in this place , anyway some of us dont have a huge budget to spunk up the wall on software that doesnt actually do what we want :

We spend more than $200 on one lunch for prospective Customers. Cheapskate. And the software does exactly what I want it to do. Having worked with it for 3 1/2 years now, it suits our purpose and impresses all those who get to see it work. Customers perception that we care enough to track data and our own personnel who need information regarding Supplier performance, internal problem trends and Cause and Corrective Actions. So, you just go and roll your own. Personally, I just say No!

 

[Douglas E. Purdy]

Models or a Flow

Jay Did,

I don't know if this will help, but I am including a version of the ISO Quality Management System Process Model. I will attach an APQP Process Model I worked up in relation to QS, and an APQP Flow in follow on response. To meet all your needs would be another story (a job). As I indicated in the 'relationship between processes' thread, I have created a general flow for a client (sanitized copy was attached there) that corresponds to 22 pages of flow for 16 of the 20 System Procedures we have generated. Good Luck!

 

[Douglas E. Purdy]

An APQP Process Model (for QS)

Jay Did,

Here is the APQP Process Model indicated in previous response.

 

[Douglas E. Purdy]

An APQP Flow

Jay Did,

Here if the procedural flow I mentioned in the previous response.