Quality Progress

Routine quality work involves problem solving (PS) and continuous improvement (CI). While the major steps of the two processes are mostly the same, there are some notable differences. The author provides a comprehensive review of the principles and processes of problem solving and continuous improvement, including a comparison of common approaches, such as plan-do-check-act; define, measure, analyze, improve and control; 8D; and A3. He also proposes integrating 14 common quality tools into these approaches as general guidelines for problem solving and continuous improvement.

Read more in “Synthesize and Unify.”

This is an outstanding article about quality work involves problem solving (PS) and continuous improvement (CI) summarizing the major steps of the two processes are mostly the same, there are some notable differences.

The author provides a comprehensive review of the principles and processes of problem solving and continuous improvement, including a comparison of common approaches, such as plan-do-check-act; define, measure, analyze, improve and control; 8D; and A3. He also proposes integrating 14 common quality tools into these approaches as general guidelines for problem solving and continuous improvement.

The challenge trying to do this job is determine if these proposals area a method, methodology, procedure, system, or technique. According to ChatGPT these can be classified as methodologies and/or tools used in quality management and problem solving. These methodologies are designed to help organizations identify, analyze, and solve problems in a systematic and structured way, leading to continuous improvement and long-term success.

But additionally I would add that those are methodologies with a systematic approach that if are applied "as is" enables the people to fine in an effective way a solution, that most probably will be partial or incomplete, the problem causes will remain subjacent causing same or similar problem again, for that reason these methodologies and other complementary tools shall be used to apply a systemic approach that would solve the problem in an holistic way eliminating the subjacent causes.

------------------------------
Conrado Gaytan
Consultant
Playa Del Carmen
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02/23/23 07:58 AM
From: Lindsay Pietenpol
Subject: A Comprehensive Review of Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement Approaches and Methods

Routine quality work involves problem solving (PS) and continuous improvement (CI). While the major steps of the two processes are mostly the same, there are some notable differences. The author provides a comprehensive review of the principles and processes of problem solving and continuous improvement, including a comparison of common approaches, such as plan-do-check-act; define, measure, analyze, improve and control; 8D; and A3. He also proposes integrating 14 common quality tools into these approaches as general guidelines for problem solving and continuous improvement.

Read more in "Synthesize and Unify."

This is such an informative and a well written article. Fully agree on the idea that problem solving is a part of continuous improvement, in fact, I'd like to believe that continuous improvement cannot be achieved without vibrant problem solving approached. 
However, I also think it's not possible for QP to apply all of these approaches, but vital to have a good understanding of most if not all so as to know which ones suit their operations. 

------------------------------
Dominic Mwata
Quality & Innovations Manager
Manufacturing
Nairobi, Kenya
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02/23/23 07:58 AM
From: Lindsay Pietenpol
Subject: A Comprehensive Review of Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement Approaches and Methods

Routine quality work involves problem solving (PS) and continuous improvement (CI). While the major steps of the two processes are mostly the same, there are some notable differences. The author provides a comprehensive review of the principles and processes of problem solving and continuous improvement, including a comparison of common approaches, such as plan-do-check-act; define, measure, analyze, improve and control; 8D; and A3. He also proposes integrating 14 common quality tools into these approaches as general guidelines for problem solving and continuous improvement.

Read more in "Synthesize and Unify."

This is such an informative and a well written article and I think it is a good reference for any employee works in Quality.
 
But additionally, I would add that there are simple techniques that help for CI without big investment or a lot of analytic data to be gather like Kaizen event which build based on the 5S.  

really, I liked the first graph which is showing the deference between ( PS ) Vs. ( CI ) 

------------------------------
Basil Alzamil
Zamil Industrial
Zamil Industrial
Dammam
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02/23/23 07:58 AM
From: Lindsay Pietenpol
Subject: A Comprehensive Review of Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement Approaches and Methods

Routine quality work involves problem solving (PS) and continuous improvement (CI). While the major steps of the two processes are mostly the same, there are some notable differences. The author provides a comprehensive review of the principles and processes of problem solving and continuous improvement, including a comparison of common approaches, such as plan-do-check-act; define, measure, analyze, improve and control; 8D; and A3. He also proposes integrating 14 common quality tools into these approaches as general guidelines for problem solving and continuous improvement.

Read more in "Synthesize and Unify."