Measure the Extent of the Problem - 𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚 - 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

 In continuing with my reading of the book 𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚 - 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, this month I read the Chapter ‘𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦’ and practiced the lessons it taught.

𝑰 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓:

a) Obtaining the right, accurate, and correct data is essential for any Six Sigma project. In case of mistakes in the data collection process, this can impact the overall project improvement.

b) An explanation of the difference in headings that should be used when doing root cause analysis by utilizing a Fishbone Diagram (also known as a Cause & Effect Diagram, or the Ishikawa Diagram).

For manufacturing, take note of the following: Methods, Machines (Equipment), People (Manpower), Materials, Measurements, and Environment.

People, Processes, Procedures, Place, and Environment could be the considerations for service companies.

c) In order to collect data, there must first be a Data Collection Plan and then a Data Collection Template. The part about detailing down to the minute was interesting to me. Taking this approach, the Analyze Phase and the remaining improvements would be highly effective.

𝑴𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒔:

i) For creating a data collection plan, 4W1H can be used.                      
- Four W: what, when, where, who
- One H: how

ii) Gage R&R is a tool to identify variations in measurement system performance, where R&R refers to repeatability and reproducibility.

Every process is subject to two types of variation: Variations in the measurement system and variations in the process.

Generally, LSS projects are done to reduce variation in processes, however, there may be measurement system variations that are higher than the permissible limit or unknown, and that could have a detrimental effect on a project's success if unchecked. 

Attribute Gage checks for 
- Repeatability within the individuals
- Reproducibility between the individuals
- Accuracy that all the results are matching the standard

R&R on Attribute Gage should include at least two resources and two trials.

You can use Excel or Minitab to perform Attribute Gage R&R.

In order to pass Gage, the percentage of appraisals against the standard must be greater than 90%.

In case it fails, find out where the problems lie and then make improvements.

If Gage passes after improvements, only then should you proceed to data collection.

How I am attempting to become more focused & productive by eliminating the time spent on non-value-adding activities

 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒚𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔.

Took up a 𝟑𝟎-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 by avoiding watching a single game of Indian cricket team. And to free up that time spent in pursuing some other meaningful activity.

The last cricket match I watched was India vs England, a T20 World Cup Semifinal on 10th November at Adelaide Oval.

This marks 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉 since I stopped watching meaningless cricket matches. 

It became evident to me that I was wasting a lot of time watching cricket matches, 3 to 4 hours per game for a T20 match. Moreover, these games lacked any meaning. I feel as if the Indian Cricket Team is playing every other day. 

Consequently, I realized that it is time to stop viewing these games and instead utilize that time to read a book, journal, or increase my skill level by attending online courses.

Even if I do nothing, at least the digital screen or television viewing portion of the process will be eliminated. I can expect at least that benefit from taking on this challenge. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚.

As a result, I have missed Ishan Kishan's recent world record-breaking double-century innings in an ODI game, Rohit Sharma's blazing half-century batting at No. 9 with an injured thumb, and Suryakumar Yadav's (SKY) second T20I century in this year against New Zealand. 

I regret not being able to witness all of these memorable innings, but I have no regrets whatsoever. I am enjoying the time that I have spent away from watching the game of Cricket and instead availing myself of some other meaningful activity. 

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕. 

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒃𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌, 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉.

It is my intention to continue from here. The next 3 months will be no different for me. I will not be watching meaningless cricket matches.

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚? 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅?

8 Steps To Problem Solving by Mohit Sharma Book Review

This month’s book review focuses on 8 Steps to Problem Solving Six Sigma authored by Mohit Sharma

There was a need for me of a practical guidebook that would be of use to update my knowledge about the Six Sigma Black Belt Course. Additionally, it should also serve as a handy reference while doing a Black Belt project. I was convinced that this was the book I was looking for after reading Ankur Tyagi's review followed by a short discussion on the book with him.

Thus far, I have read and practiced the concepts from the first four chapters of the book, namely up until the chapter on Define the Project.

Listed below are some of the strengths of the book as I have observed them

• This book, despite being written on a topic as complex as Six Sigma Black Belt, is written in an easy and understandable language. 

• The book provides an explanation of each concept through a series of examples and case studies. Therefore, it will be possible for you to relate the examples to the material presented. I found this aspect of the book to be the most appealing.

• Each chapter concludes with a series of questions posed by the author to the reader. Before moving on to the next chapter, I distilled my key learnings from the chapter by answering those questions. This helped me retain the knowledge.

• The author outlines various do's and don'ts that Black Belts should follow while executing projects. By following these tips, you will be able to complete the project steps effectively and efficiently.

As a result of reading the chapters so far, I have learned or gained some insights as follows

• The customer will always present you with a practical problem; convert it into a statistical statement and thus it becomes a quality improvement or six sigma project.

• As a Black Belt (BB), it is their responsibility to help the customer reach his or her objectives but not necessarily to follow the instructions of the customer. There is a need for BB's to look at the problem differently, and that is what adds quality.

• For a project, the metric selected should be the smallest unit of the process since when the smallest unit is set correctly, the entire process will be correct as well. Make sure that you are working on direct metrics rather than derived metrics.

• One of the most important concepts of Six Sigma is to understand the relationship between Project Y and X, impacting the Y. If we refer to equation Y=F(X), Y is a dependent variable and X is an independent variable. If we change X, Y will be impacted.

• Although there is no set rule on how deep Black Belts can drill down into a drill-down tree to reach specific, actionable, measurable project metrics, it is generally advisable to drill down to at most five levels.

• The COPIS acronym stands for Customer, Output, Process, Input, and Supplier. Previously, it was known as SIPOC.

With my continued reading of the book, I will share more insights and key takeaways as I progress with my project.

Book Summary Quality Fables 2: Next 25 Lessons Learn't Revealed

In Quality Fables, real experiences and real people are the basis for the stories. Essentially, they are narratives that highlight a significant point or lesson learned from an interaction.

Following my reading of Quality Fables 1, I am now sharing the next 25 lessons that stand out to me most from Quality Fables 2 by Suresh Lulla Sir.

26) A simple solution can solve a complex problem

27) It is imperative that every leader visits customers to understand Fitness for Use (FFU).

28) It is the consultant's role to facilitate structured thinking within an organization, not solve the organization's issues

29) Corporate responsibility extends to quality

30) Improve quality of life for workers and deliver dignity to them through quality improvement projects

31) A leader must ultimately be held accountable for the performance of the product on the ground

32) A quality management system can be used to meet challenges

33) Best practices from one industry must be analyzed and adapted for applications in another

34) An effective quality improvement team should include everyone affected by the problem

35) Quality management systems such as ISO 9001 can be implemented only when process stability is achieved

36) In a market with higher supply than demand, quality thrives

37) Risk assessments should include support services as well

38) If quality improvement projects are linked to strategic goals, breakthrough results can be achieved

39) It is essential that upper management has first-hand experience with waste

40) Make sure each team member is committed to diagnosing and resolving the problem

41) Every change in business environment should be tracked to determine customer buying behavior

42) Quality is centered on the customer. As a result, it thrives in a competitive environment

43) A relentless pursuit of perfection drives leaders to look for out-of-the-box solutions

44) Every action taken by a company expresses what it stands for

45) Customer loyalty is built on customer service

46) Customer trust is the foundation of repeat business, and quality is about establishing that trust

47) Problem solving training should be mandatory for the entire organization

48) A quality system reduces errors, time, and costs

49) Instead of focusing on training as a strategic goal, it is best to focus on it as a means to achieve strategic goals

50) Educate the purchase department about process capability studies

25 lessons that stood out to me the most after reading Quality Fables 1 by Suresh Lulla

1) Customer focus is a must-do for companies, it’s no longer a choice

2) Managers who meet customers gain the best education

3) Customers are lifeblood of any business, so it is vital to keep a customer-focused culture for survival and success. Every manager should hear voice of the customer at the end of the day

4) Employees of any level can delight customers

5) You need to first gain people's commitment before you can change their behavior

6) Leading by example will earn trust of your employees

7) Aim to communicate with target audience in a unique way
8) See the problem for yourself

9) The intelligence gathered in the field plays a crucial role in all subsequent activities

10) In order to plan strategically, we must schedule priorities. In order to plan operationally, we must prioritize tasks

11) A low failure rate can hide a high cost of poor quality (COPQ)

12) Get Head of Finance's support when you want to implement a company-wide quality management system. The COPQ is equal to the profit or even more for an organization. It is possible for the Head of Finance to give Quality Management a boost

13) Purpose of Quality Control is to correct mistakes we might make when fires occur sporadically. Quality Control requires reactive skills. Reducing chronic high costs & poor quality is the goal of quality improvement, and it requires proactive skills

14) By improving quality, the costs associated with poor quality and customer dissatisfaction can be reduced

15) Having a large after-sales service department implies asking if the product or service is reliable and of high quality. The solution lies in improving processes, thereby reducing costs

16) The by-product of quality improvement is cost reduction

17) The key concepts in the training are internalized when training starts at the top

18) It is important for leaders to have the ability to teach, coach, and counsel others

19) To get better at anything, study what the world-class do. There may be others who have already solved the same or a similar problem. This is benchmarking. Whenever we want to improve something, we need to be "different" in the way we do it. This is innovation

20) A deep understanding of a topic is necessary to answer a question accurately

21) Defy the standard, do away with cost centers

22) Belief in Quality is a religion in Japan, and the Japanese work towards zero defects

23) Japanese think ‘process and systems’

24) It is an art to listen. Even a guru encourages feedback from his students

25) Reputation should not be sacrificed to make profit reports, A company with principles will safeguard its reputation. Reputation is a brand's guardian