Tools & Techniques for Process Improvement

Understanding processes so that they can be improved by means of a systematic approach requires the knowledge of a simple kit of tools or techniques.

The effective use of these tools and techniques requires their application by the people who actually work on the processes, and their commitment to this will only be possible if they are assured that management cares about improving quality.

Managers must show they are committed by providing the training and implementation support necessary.

The tools and techniques most commonly used in process improvement are:

1. ? Problem solving methodology, such as DRIVE
2. ? Process mapping
3. ? Process flowcharting
4. ? Force field analysis
5. ? Cause & effect diagrams
6. ? CEDAC
7. ? Brainstorming
8. ? Pareto analysis
9. ? Statistical process control (SPC)
10. ? Control charts
11. ? Check sheets
12. ? Bar charts
13. ? Scatter diagrams
14. ? Matrix analysis
15. ? Dot plot or tally chart
16. ? Histograms

DRIVE

DRIVE is an approach to problem solving and analysis that can be used as part of process improvement.

Define the scope of the problem the criteria by which success will be measured and agree the deliverables and success factors

Review the current situation, understand the background, identify and collect information, including performance, identify problem areas, improvements and “quick wins”

Identify improvements or solutions to the problem, required changes to enable and sustain the improvements

Verify check that the improvements will bring about benefits that meet the defined success criteria, prioritise and pilot the improvements

Execute plan the implementation of the solutions and improvements, agree and implement them, plan a review, gather feedback and review

Process Mapping

One of the initial steps to understand or improve a process is Process Mapping. By gathering information we can construct a “dynamic” model - a picture of the activities that take place in a process. Process maps are useful communication tools that help improvement teams understand the process and identify opportunities for improvement.

ICOR

ICOR (inputs, outputs, controls and resources) is an internationally accepted process analysis methodology for process mapping.

It allows processes to be broken down into simple, manageable and more easily understandable units.

The maps define the inputs, outputs, controls and resources for both the high level process and the sub-processes.

Process mapping provides a common framework, discipline and language, allowing a systematic way of working. Complex interactions can be represented in a logical, highly visible and objective way. It defines where issues or “pinch points“ exist and provides improvement teams with a common decision making framework.

To construct a process map:

? Brainstorm all activities that routinely occur within the scope of the process ? Group the activities into 4-6 key sub-processes

? Identify the sequence of events and links between the sub-processes

? Define as a high level process map and sub-process maps using ICOR

Process maps provide a dynamic view of how an organisation can deliver enhanced business value. “What if” scenarios can be quickly developed by comparing maps of the process “As is” with the process “To be”.

Process Flowcharting

Another tool used in the construction of process maps is Process Flowcharting. This is a powerful technique for recording, in the form of a picture, exactly what is done in a process. 

There are certain standard symbols used in classic flowcharts, and these are:

If a flow chart cannot be drawn using these symbols, then the process is not fully understood. The purpose of the flowchart is to learn why the current process operates the way it does and to conduct an objective analysis, to identify problems and weaknesses, unnecessary steps or duplication and the objectives of the improvement effort.

Force Field Analysis

Force Field Analysis is a technique for identifying forces which may help or hinder achieving a change or improvement. By assessing the forces that prevent making the change, plans can be developed to overcome them. It is also important to identify those forces that will help with the change. Once these forces have been identified and analysed, it is possible to determine if a proposed change is viable.

Cause & Effect Diagram (Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram)

A useful way of mapping the inputs that effect quality is the Cause & Effect Diagram, also know as the Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram. It is also a useful technique for opening up thinking in problem solving.

The effect or problem being investigated is shown at the end of a horizontal arrow; potential causes are then shown as labelled arrows entering the main cause arrow. Each arrow may have other arrows entering it as the principal causes or factors are reduced to their sub-causes; brainstorming can be effectively used to generate the causes and sub-causes.

CEDAC

With CEDAC – Cause and Effect Diagram with the Addition of Cards, the effect side of the diagram is a quantified description of the problem, and the cause side of the diagram uses two different coloured cards for writing the facts and the ideas.

The facts are gathered and written on the left of the spines, and the ideas for improvement on the right of the cause spines. The ideas are evaluated and selected for substance and practicality.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming can be used in conjunction with the Cause and Effect tool. It is a group technique used to generate a large number of ideas quickly and may be used in a variety of situations. Each member of the group, in turn, can put forward an idea concerning the problem being considered. Wild ideas are welcomed and no criticism or evaluation occurs during brainstorming, all ideas being recorded for subsequent analysis. The process continues until no further ideas are forthcoming and increases the chance for originality and innovation.

It can be used for:

? Identifying problem areas

? Identifying areas for improvement

? Designing solutions to problems

? Developing action plans

Pareto Analysis

Pareto Analysis can be used to analyse the ideas from a brainstorming session.

It is used to identify the vital few problems or causes of problems that have the greatest impact.

A Pareto diagram or chart pictorially represents data in the form of a ranked bar chart that shows the frequency of occurrence of items in descending order. Usually, Pareto diagrams reveal that 80% of the effect is attributed to 20% of the causes; hence, it is some-times known as the 80/20 rule.

Regards,

Dr. Bassem Assi