Category

Article

AIAG Core Tools – What are they?

These Core Tools, in existence since the 1990’s, are key elements of an effective and efficient quality management system to meet your Customers needs and expectations. They include the Advanced Product Quality Planning & Control Plan (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Many automotive OEMs and their suppliers require use of the Core Tools as part of the IATF 16949.  These tools have also been…

Read article
Post GD&T Training Journey: How do I keep on learning?

The most frequently asked questions I’ve heard as an instructor, after a “GD&T Fundamentals” class, is either “How do I keep learning more?” or “How do we implement (deploy or integrate) GD&T usage in our design department?”  The answer to the first question hinges often on the answer to the second question.  Both answers will affect my response to the individual student. My initial response is “use what you’ve just learned and share it, as soon as possible!” It is…

Read article
Paradigm Shift with Core Tools for the Organization

  There is an increased need for professionals, especially in the automotive industry, to refine their quality skills to meet the needs of the global marketplace. Significant refinements to the ISO/IATF 16944 QMS and the AIAG & VDA FDEA Manual have recently been developed and deployed by Subject Matter Experts within the automotive OEMs, IATF, ISO, AIAG, and VDA.  The ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949, and the AIAG Core Tools, with its updated FMEA, is now better harmonized for integration within…

Read article
2020 – LEARN and LEAD

2019 has faded into the past without notice and the rush into 2020 has begun. The “Recession” prognosis never materialized. With unemployment at a record low, and employers still struggling to match skills and talent to job requirements, 2020 will be a year to LEARN & LEAD. Knowledge empowers. Individuals and organizations alike will need to enable themselves with the best learning strategies and tools to continue to sustain their current business growth, as well as be prepared for all…

Read article
7 Quality Tools – The Pareto Chart

Quality tools have been our focus over the past few months as a means of refreshing their importance within the quality improvement framework. We’ve discussed Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Thought Map, and began our highlights of the 7 Quality Tools through a discussion of Check Sheets. If you recall, these seven basic management tools were originated by Kaoru Ishikawa, who believed that 90 percent of the problems in a business can be solved by using one or more of these…

Read article
7 Quality Tools – The Check Sheet

  The power behind product process improvement and problem solving are the tools used for that specific end. So, over the coming months, we’ll be profiling 7 tried-and-true Quality Tools. The renowned Dr. Kouro Ishikawa, arguably the father of quality in Japan and originator of the Ishikawa ‘Cause and Effect’ Diagram, stated “As much as 95% of quality related problems in the factory can be solved with 7 fundamental quantitative tools.” Whether you are new to quality or involved for…

Read article
problem solving in manufacturing industry with thought map
Thought Map

Have you or your team embarked on a product or process quality improvement plan only to find a less than desirable solution or no solution at all? As resources are expended, the original problem morphs into a host of other issues that were not anticipated. Undoubtedly, the mistake that was made was to not begin with a Thought Map. This blog touches on the salient points of the process described in the article The Thought Map by Six Sigma Associates…

Read article
TRAIN to be COMPETITIVE

Slogan for the Modern Company – “TRAIN to be COMPETITIVE” Musings of a training professional…. There are “We are hiring!” signs almost everywhere you look.  Service and manufacturing industries are feeling the pinch a bit harder as they compete for skilled personnel.  With retirement predicted to increase key position vacancies, the ability to hire and retain experienced individuals is shrinking at a faster rate. Coupled by higher operating costs in almost every segment of operations, it is bound to effect productivity…

Read article
A QUALITY TOOL: Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a problem-solving approach that tries to identify the specific cause(s) of problems, not just addressing symptoms. One of the most prevalent quality tools, but often underutilized, RCA can expose information that can lead to valuable outcomes, often resulting into significant cost savings in the long run. The easiest way to start working with this tool is to ask and answer “Why?” five times.   Stop when the corrective actions do not change. Stop when the…

Read article
What is QUALITY?

Quality – a word that surrounds us personally and professionally, possibly throughout our lifecycle.  It has different meanings as well:   The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind. The degree of excellence of something. A distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone or something. When assessing a product or a service, quality can be separated as: A. User-based – “consistent, long-term, and on-target performance of products and services in the hands of the customer”.…

Read article