What Problem Solving Tools do you use the most?

[TPMB4]

What problem solving tools do you use the most?

We got questioned on our use of tools in our corrective/preventative actions (8Ds). Being new to this and without the opportunity to get trained up I am wondering what tools to look into for various jobs. First one is for root cause analysis. Automotive sector but low down the food chain hence resources for training are low.

5 whys seem most likely but is/is not, Ishikawa, etc all have their uses. At the moment we kind of just describe the problem and work from there.

Anyway from a purely practical viewpoint I'm thinking of generating some examples using different tools to prove that we can use them if we wanted or needed. The reality of the situation is we solve problems just fine doing what we do. Is following a set problem solving tool really necessary?

As I said, new to quality and in the deep end. Any advice on relevance of well known problem solving tools would be most helpful.

(To qualify this I mean relevance to likely Quality dept activities such as 8Ds/Corrective Action, Quality planning, through to QMS improvements would help).

 

[mguilbert]

Re: Problem solving tools

The site below has a description, pro and cons, when to use, how to use many of the Quality Tools that are widely used.

http://www.syque.com/quality_tools/index.htm

 

[Path of Totality]

I worked in the automotive field for 15 years and now work in non-automotive so I have seen "both sides" for lack of a better term. Regardless, I for one, prefer the "5 why" method with DMAIC a close second. What we use the most is still the 8D.

5 Why:
I like this for one main reason and it's due to the fact it gets people to think a little harder (after they get mad once in a while). It can even be done while you walk around the plant or down the hall way with a co-worker. That might not be the pure way to do a 5 Why excersise but it makes the point and you get some answers.

DMAIC:
I am not a strong proponent of 6 Sigma (sorry guys) but the DMAIC process I do like. It requires an investment of time for the team but I feel it's well worth it. I use it as a last resort, meaning the 8D just didn't fit or a customer wants a better presentation.

 

[ssz102]

tools or method is too many; which is tools or method suit your company according to the situation of problem and where are these problems in happen

 

[Bev D]

We've discussed this issue several times here so a search in the cove shoul help flesh out some ideas for you. (A great place to start is the realted threads listed at the bottom of the page)

One debate we have is the difference between a problem solving framework (PDCA, 8D, DMAIC), Problem solving methods (5 Why, Kepner-Tregoe, Y-X, Fishbone diagrams with brainstorming, Apollo, value stream mapping) and tools (MSA, control charts, mult-vari, FMEA and the whole suite of tools known as Design of Experiments - full factorials, split plots, blocking, response surface, central composite, Assembly-Dissasembly...or the suite of Lean tools - 5S, line balance, kanban, etc...

What problem solving tools do you use the most?

Anyway from a purely practical viewpoint I'm thinking of generating some examples using different tools to prove that we can use them if we wanted or needed. The reality of the situation is we solve problems just fine doing what we do. Is following a set problem solving tool really necessary?

It really depends on the type of problem. There is a difference between a complex physics problem, human error and a process that is slow and ineffective.

(To qualify this I mean relevance to likely Quality dept activities such as 8Ds/Corrective Action, Quality planning, through to QMS improvements would help).

In this particular arena I most often use the 8D approach with the 5 Whys and Apollo for corrective actions, FMEA/MSA/Capability Analysis/control charts/Acceptance sampling and mistake proofing for quality planning and Lean methods and tools for QMS improvements.