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.