Problem Solving Tools – A Team Approach

Reliability Problem Solving Tools – A Team Based Approach

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the Problem Solving Tools course, participants will be able to do the following:

Create Process Flows with standard diagram symbols
Perform an Affinity Diagram with hands-on exercise
Perform in a brainstorming session to complete an Ishikawa Cause and Effect Diagram
Understand various types of attribute data, construct check sheets and create Pareto Diagrams

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is intended for those involved in design, test, analysis, or manufacturing who want a better understanding of advanced problem solving tools. Disciplines include Technicians, Supervisors, Operations Staff, Process Engineers, Quality Engineers, Quality Inspectors, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineers Engineers.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Problem Solving Tools provide you with the essential steps for an effective Team – based problem solving methodology. The course presents a number of problem solving techniques to identify key variables for process control and quality improvement. Basic quantitative and qualitative tools will be presented to help participants make sound decisions for implementing effective corrective action plans.

OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION TO PROBLEM SOLVING TOOLS

Benefits of Effective Problem Solving
Quality Tools – Overview
Problem Solving Strategy – PDCA

PROCESS FLOW ANALYSIS

Overview of Process Flow Techniques
Standardized Flow Charting Symbols
Process Flows for Manufacturing Processes

CAUSE and EFFECT DIAGRAMS

Sources of Variation
Brainstorming techniques using an Ishikawa Diagram
Resolving to Root Cause and Corrective Action

AFFINITY DIAGRAMS

Benefits of Affinity Diagrams
Organize a large number of Ideas
Implementing a Business Plan: Case Study

CHECK SHEETS and PARETO ANALYSIS

Simplify data collection with Check Sheets
Prioritize problems with 80/20 Concept
Create Pareto Charts (with cumulative %)

APPENDIX

Terms and Definitions
Formula Summary

OPS A La Carte, Engineering Success with Reliable Products. We are a leading reliability engineering consulting firm since 2001. We have helped many companies create robust products and elevate them to great success, even become the leader in their industry. We are known for providing the whole gamut of reliability lab testing, consulting, and training. With over 25 reliability engineer-experts around the world, with diverse backgrounds and experience, we serve both domestic and global businesses in all areas of reliability, in depth and width. Hi, my name is Jay Muns, owner and CEO. I have more than 30 years of experience in engineering and business operations.

OPS A La Carte have produced very high-quality results for us, with fast turnaround times. Their engineers are the best in their field, are a pleasure to work with, and their work is of the highest standards available. This has helped us obtain critical product approvals…” We help companies see from outside of their forest and understand what they didn’t know before. Companies come to us out of three scenarios: First, when their products fail. We help put out the fire by identifying problems and providing solutions. Second, after a product is designed, to check the box and move on with getting their product into the marketplace. The best is third: to get engaged early, by including reliability as a part of their initial product design goals. This will save time, money and energy. It is much better to have a worry-free product that addresses reliability issues upfront, than dealing with deficiencies after a product is developed, or worse, already manufactured and sold to the end users. Being proactive with reliability engineering will save a business tons of money and trouble. In all scenarios, you receive professional expertise with integrity and at a fair price. Many of our clients are repeat customers for years because of the value we consistently deliver.

Our ENGINEER-consultants each have over 20 years of experience and perform lab testing, consulting and training based on actual reliability science. They follow well established industry standards, such as “HALT” (highly accelerated life test,) and “HASS” (highly accelerated stress screen.) These engineers evaluate, make recommendations and validate results based on highly relevant lab data, co-relating to real world data. Whether your company has a reliability department or not, you can take advantage of our entire testing-consulting-training package, or any portion of it. We also offer Failure analysis and safety certification services such as UL, CE, and other environmental testing services, like solar, UV, SALT spray testing, ESD (electro-static discharge,) and EMC (electro-magnetic compatibility.)

“Ops A La Carte trained us to use HALT methodology as a proactive tool, to root out key failures in our early and advanced prototypes, and that made it possible for us to deliver dependability that our customers demand, in pilot and production units."“...OPS has played a key role in our evolution from a research company to a manufacturer of ‘mission-critical’ components.” A couple of companies describe our HALT/HASS training as “highly informative, engaging and exciting.” “The benefit far exceeds the price."

Our mission is to enable companies to create their happy customers, with a well-engineered product. By helping our clients understand the real problems and the real solutions, we help improve their careers and reputations. Achieving the win-win-win results for our clients and their customers is our ultimate satisfaction. We have a family-like company culture with positive energy and great teamwork. An improved and reliable product is our own small way to contribute to a better humanity and a slightly better world. Call us at (408) 654-0499, or email us at info@opsalacarte.com, or visit our website www.opsalacarte.com. Thank you!

A couple of our clients' testimonials:

"The expert team at OPS assisted us in evaluating the available reliability testing possibilities, and with their help, we crafted a customized test program precisely sized to meet the needs of our project. The resulting program proved to our team, our customers, and our regulatory auditors that our product was robust, met its reliability goals effectively, and satisfied all safety risk factors."

"...Ops A La Carte worked with us to develop a testing program based on HALT and HASS to effectively assess low-temperature operation capability and screen the boards for assembly and component defects. They then facilitated and supported the HALT and HASS testing effort. It was quicker and more efficient than we had expected. The boards for the first four strings have been delivered. We are looking forward to working with them through completion of the project."