Understanding Relationships Identifying the true cause of a problem is the key to effective quality improvement. When we use Scatter Diagrams for the diagnosis of a problem, we are basically looking for a relationship between two measurable variables. We hope to discover an insight into …

Variation We are all aware that variation is everywhere. It is inevitable in the output of any process – manufacturing, service, or administrative. We also know it is impossible to keep all factors, in a constant state, all the time. This is one of the …

History Pareto Analysis gets its name from the Italian-born economist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923) who observed that a relative few people held the majority of wealth. Dr Joseph Juran was the first to point out that what Pareto had observed, was a universal principle. More specifically, …

This week I will keep my promise of introducing Data Collection, the most misunderstood quality tool….the hatchery for COPQ. Context How often has your boss instructed you: Go get the data. You toil for 10 days and return with the data you believe what your …

Quality Fable This week I will not keep my promise of introducing Data Collection, the most misunderstood quality tool….the hatchery for COPQ. On the contrary, I wish to share a Quality Fable, Legitimizing Absenteeism. You will be surprised to learn the root cause of absenteeism …

Author’s Tip Re-read Quality Capsule 6 – Structured Quality Improvement: Problem Diagnosis. Basics In Quality Capsule 11 we were introduced to the power of right-brain Brainstorming. In other words, creative thinking. Creative thinking is the basis for developing an innovative solution / remedy. I also …