Know the Paths of Variation in your processes

If you work or have worked in manufacturing, you most likely are familiar with the positive effects of implementing Cellular Manufacturing (CM) in our workplaces such as the improved flow through the process, overall cycle time reduction, throughput gains as well as other benefits.  But there is one other positive effect that can result from implementing CM that isn’t discussed much. This potential positive impact is what CM can do to reduce variation. But before we reveal how this works, let’s first discuss the concept of paths of variation.

When multiple machines performing the same function are used to produce identical products, there are potentially multiple paths that parts can take from beginning to end as we progress through the entire process. There are, therefore, potential multiple paths of variation. These multiple paths of variation can significantly increase the overall variability of the process.

Even with focused reductions in variation, real improvement might not be achieved because of the number of paths of variation that exist within a process. Paths of variation, in this context, are simply the number of potential opportunities for variation to occur within a process because of potential multiple machines processing the parts. And the paths of variation of a process are increased by the number of individual process steps and/or the complexity of the steps (i.e. number of sub-processes within a process). 

Click here to read the rest of my 'Paths of Variation' blog series and share your thoughts and comments with me.