Articles

SPC, Cpk, and all that buzz… Part 1: Process Stability

I recently had some discussions about SPC (statistical process control) that reminded me how easy it is to get lost in the topic, even after years of using it… Let me try to sort things out, staying on the general but practical ground and focusing on the purpose, not “mathematical mechanics.” Application But first, let…
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TinySEM – Process knowledge notation tool

This article is a follow-up to the previous one about process knowledge and a result of several discussions on LinkedIn It is a proposal of the standard way to visualize graphically mathematical equations, especially those obtained as a result of regression modeling. Purpose Provide a tool that can be used by manufacturing engineers and technologists,…
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Do we know how our processes work? Do we know how well we know it?

All major process improvement methodologies (like Lean or Six Sigma) offer specific tools and methods to improve any given process: “remove non-value-added activities”, “reduce variation”, “find the optimum setting of the key input, to get desired output”, etc. Those methods and tools work very well, however only with the assumption that people using them know the process they are trying…
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Measuring process capability by …simple average?!

I dare to say that in some situations, simple average works as an effective capability index! Process The concept is applicable to specific group of processes, most often transactional, where time is the most important: “the sooner the better”. These processes should be part of business-to-business model rather than a business-to-consumer model: what matters is…
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Six tips for effective presentations

Some people may say that Process Excellence is about improving processes, not presenting anything. That is true, but can you improve the process without explaining clearly what is the change you are proposing? Without communicating to those impacted by the change that their work will change? And here is a place for the presentation –…
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There is no sustainable process improvement without learning new behaviours

Every process improvement to be sustainable needs to be supported by the proper training. This training can be as simple as 15 minutes instructions “on the job” or as complex as several weeks course, but in all cases needs to be carefully prepared to be effective. Let’s take a look on high-level steps worth to…
Read more: There is no sustainable process improvement without learning new behaviours