Quality

Creating a Project Charter

I am a big fan of Agile methodology, but I use tools from waterfall project management with the methodology, such as project charters. It...

Creative Corrective Actions

Whether issued by an auditor or a customer, responding to a corrective action is often a chore. Even those who embrace continuous...

Discover 8 Wastes Hiding in PPAPs or FAIs

Seeing waste in the manufacturing process can be as simple as observing the process. Spaghetti diagrams and value stream mapping help...

The Winner Is? Data

I am often criticized for wanting to solve problems with software or IT solutions. I jump too quickly to "there's an app for that" for...

"Getting A Lift With Poka-Yoke"

I had a conversation recently with a colleague about process accountability. We discussed a process that involves doing research to...

"Melted Snow Flushed My Toilet"

The recent storm in Texas left millions without power and water, for nearly a week. "I had to melt snow in my bathtub to have water to...

How to reduce accumulated nonconforming material

Defects happen. Usually, the part gets tagged and set aside to deal with later. Eventually there is a pile of parts, covered in dust,...