8D format - To include D8 Congratulate the Team Or Not to?!

[terranceyu]

Hello Covers,

Recently due to the corporate request, we were asked to standardize the 8D reporting format across the 4 plants. In the standardization process, D8 congratulate the team was removed, and replaced with effectiveness measurement of the D6 & D7. So far SGS auditor is fine without the original D8.

But I am confused. Kindly advise, should the original D8 removed to suit the comapny needs.

 

[Stijloor]

An organization can do whatever it pleases.. The "congratulations" piece may not have a direct effect on the outcome of the 8D process; but the fact that your organization eliminated the "pat on the back", says a lot about how much little the "corporation" cares about its employees. Just my personal opinion of course....

Stijloor.

 

[Jim Wynne]

I don't know if this is a question about orthodoxy or management pettiness. If it's the former, you can usually make an 8D report a 416D report so long as you don't mess with the first seven. So just make "congratulations" #9.

 

[DrM2u]

Terraceyu,

I don't recall the exact history of the 8-D approach but I am 100% sure that it originated in the automotive industry and was heavily used at Ford. The name 'evolved' from there through suppliers, the industry and across other industries. Bottom line is, it makes no difference if you call your form 8-D or TPS Report (remember the movie The Office?!?). Keep in mind what is the intent of the form and if it meets that intent and the organzation's needs. Also keep in mind that in is your form and you can alter it and modify it as you see fit; you can trim it to only 4 D's and still call it 8-D since it is just a name. The fact that the employees' recognition was eliminated does not surprise me. In my travels and endeavors I have seen the 8-D form used often and in most cases stoped after the 7th D. I often questioned the need to have the 8th D if not using it. I also agree with Stijloor that the elimination of the 8th D could be an indicator of organization's consideration for its human resources, although it is also possible that the recognition takes place in other forms. I personally support the elimination of the 8th D and recognizing the improvement of the whole organization instead of just a local improvement. Like Forest Gump said, that's all I have to say about that.

 

[terranceyu]

Thanks everyone for the prompt reply. Please accept my sincerest gratitude for the valuable opinions.

Part of the reason why this section is removed, due to some manager thinks this is nothing to be proud of achievement but customer complaint which need serious attention and follow-up.

I am concerned, whether third party auditor will treat this as non-conformance, as it is not following the international original 8D format, or the format can be modified further without twisting the meanings.

 

[DrM2u]

The 8-D format is not copyrighted by anyone that I am aware of. The form is yours to modify and alter as needed to meet the intent and the needs. No auditor will have a problem with the changes as long as you follow your document control procedure and the form allows you to meet the requirements of 8.5.2, 8.5.3 and your related internal procedure(s).

 

[brahmaiah]

Hello Covers,

Recently due to the corporate request, we were asked to standardize the 8D reporting format across the 4 plants. In the standardization process, D8 congratulate the team was removed, and replaced with effectiveness measurement of the D6 & D7. So far SGS auditor is fine without the original D8.

But I am confused. Kindly advise, should the original D8 removed to suit the comapny needs.

The 8th D is a reminder to managers to congragulate their people for their efforts in solving the problem.It is necessary as some managers seldom recognize the hard work of their sub-ordinates.
V.J.Brahmaiah

 

[qualitytrec]

Terrance,
If an auditor gave you a finding for changing the 8th D to something more important to your organization than they would be in error. If your forms are not filled out completely you could get a finding but on this issue you should be fine.
I think it shows commitment to the correction that your management wants to make the 8th D a validation of the process. Hopefully they do not forget to congratulate the team for improving the system so the defect does not happen again or is at least greatly reduced.
The congratulations is not for the error but for the system improvement that will improve customer satisfaction in the future.

FWIW,
Mark

 

[terranceyu]

Terrance,
If an auditor gave you a finding for changing the 8th D to something more important to your organization than they would be in error. If your forms are not filled out completely you could get a finding but on this issue you should be fine.
I think it shows commitment to the correction that your management wants to make the 8th D a validation of the process. Hopefully they do not forget to congratulate the team for improving the system so the defect does not happen again or is at least greatly reduced.
The congratulations is not for the error but for the system improvement that will improve customer satisfaction in the future.

FWIW,
Mark

Thanks for the great post, Mark.

 

[Manix]

An organization can do whatever it pleases.. The "congratulations" piece may not have a direct effect on the outcome of the 8D process; but the fact that your organization eliminated the "pat on the back", says a lot about how much little the "corporation" cares about its employees. Just my personal opinion of course....

Stijloor.

Um, possibly, but I would argue that if management needs an extra box on a form to recognise the achievements of thier people then there is serious cultural issues anyway!

I think it is whatever adds value to your company. If your management have identified a more value added activity at the end of the process then OK. I have very seldom used that box, a "pat on the back" and recognition of achievement is not a form filling exercise it is a social interaction!

However, the 8th D IMO, can be used to review and document any lessons that have been learnt for future use. That is a much more value added part.