Using The Right Tool For The Job Finding Balance Between Six Sigma and Creative Problem Solving

Overview Project Managers Are Problem Managers Six Sigma Overview Creative Problem Solving Overview Differences & Similarities Guidelines For Selecting The Right Tool

Project Managers Are Problem Managers

Six Sigma Overview

Creative Problem Solving Overview

Differences & Similarities

Guidelines For Selecting The Right Tool

Project Managers Are Problem Managers “ Projects are nothing more than problems scheduled for a solution” J.M. Juran, noted Quality Guru

“ Projects are nothing more than problems scheduled for a solution”

J.M. Juran, noted Quality Guru

Problem Management Skills for the Project Manager Problem Identification Problem Analysis Creative Problem Solving Idea Generation Facilitation Negotiation Qualitative (Gut Feel) Analysis Quantitative (Statistical) Analysis

Problem Identification

Problem Analysis

Creative Problem Solving

Idea Generation

Facilitation

Negotiation

Qualitative (Gut Feel) Analysis

Quantitative (Statistical) Analysis

General Considerations When to Use Creative Problem Solving New or Uniquely Different Product, Service and/or Project Metrics (Data) Do Not Yet Exist Radical or Incremental Improvement Problem When to Use Six Sigma: Problem Related To Existing Product, Service and/or Project Process Oriented Problem Metrics (Data) Already Exist Incremental Improvement Problem “ Blend Zone”: The place where most of our projects reside

When to Use Creative Problem Solving

New or Uniquely Different Product, Service and/or Project

Metrics (Data) Do Not Yet Exist

Radical or Incremental Improvement Problem

When to Use Six Sigma:

Problem Related To Existing Product, Service and/or Project

Process Oriented Problem

Metrics (Data) Already Exist

Incremental Improvement Problem

“ Blend Zone”:

The place where most of our projects reside

Six Sigma Overview Six Sigma Defined: Six Sigma is a rigorous and disciplined methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance by identifying and eliminating "defects" in manufacturing and service-related processes To enhance, repair or otherwise positively affect a problem or process

Six Sigma Defined:

Six Sigma is a rigorous and disciplined methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance by identifying and eliminating "defects" in manufacturing and service-related processes

To enhance, repair or otherwise positively affect a problem or process

Six Sigma Overview (cont’d) DMAIC Approach: Define the Customer, their Critical to Quality (CTQ) issues, and the Core Business Process involved Measure the performance of the Core Business Process involved Analyze the data collected and process map to determine root causes of defects and opportunities for improvement Improve the target process by designing creative solutions to fix and prevent problems Control the improvements to keep the process on the new course

DMAIC Approach:

Define the Customer, their Critical to Quality (CTQ) issues, and the Core Business Process involved

Measure the performance of the Core Business Process involved

Analyze the data collected and process map to determine root causes of defects and opportunities for improvement

Improve the target process by designing creative solutions to fix and prevent problems

Control the improvements to keep the process on the new course

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

The Six Sigma Toolbox Standard Deviation Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram SIPOC Pareto Diagram 80/20 Rule Variance Analysis Control Chart Process Mapping Kano Charting Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Standard Deviation

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

SIPOC

Pareto Diagram

80/20 Rule

Variance Analysis

Control Chart

Process Mapping

Kano Charting

Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Creative Problem Solving Overview Creative Problem Solving Defined: The mental process of creating a solution to a problem Special form of problem solving in which the solution is independently created rather than learned with assistance Requires more than just knowledge and thinking Development of a fresh, new approach to a problem or process

Creative Problem Solving Defined:

The mental process of creating a solution to a problem

Special form of problem solving in which the solution is independently created rather than learned with assistance

Requires more than just knowledge and thinking

Development of a fresh, new approach to a problem or process

Creative Problem Solving Overview (cont’d) Creative Problem Solving Process: Problem Definition Problem Research & Analysis Idea Generation Incubation Idea Selection Idea Implementation Feedback & Control

Creative Problem Solving Process:

Problem Definition

Problem Research & Analysis

Idea Generation

Incubation

Idea Selection

Idea Implementation

Feedback & Control

Creative Problem Solving Toolbox Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram Idea Generation Brainstorming Storyboarding 100’s of others… Lateral Thinking Alternative Solutioning Force Fit 10’s of others… Mind Mapping Cash Curve

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

Idea Generation

Brainstorming

Storyboarding

100’s of others…

Lateral Thinking

Alternative Solutioning

Force Fit

10’s of others…

Mind Mapping

Cash Curve

Creative Problem Solving Toolbox Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram Idea Generation Brainstorming Storyboarding 100’s of others… Lateral Thinking Alternative Solutioning Force Fit 10’s of others… Mind Mapping Cash Curve

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

Idea Generation

Brainstorming

Storyboarding

100’s of others…

Lateral Thinking

Alternative Solutioning

Force Fit

10’s of others…

Mind Mapping

Cash Curve

Creative Problem Solving Toolbox Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram Idea Generation Brainstorming Storyboarding 100’s of others… Lateral Thinking Alternative Solutioning Force Fit 10’s of others… Mind Mapping Cash Curve

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

Idea Generation

Brainstorming

Storyboarding

100’s of others…

Lateral Thinking

Alternative Solutioning

Force Fit

10’s of others…

Mind Mapping

Cash Curve

Creative Problem Solving Toolbox Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram Idea Generation Brainstorming Storyboarding 100’s of others… Lateral Thinking Alternative Solutioning Force Fit 10’s of others… Mind Mapping Cash Curve

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

Idea Generation

Brainstorming

Storyboarding

100’s of others…

Lateral Thinking

Alternative Solutioning

Force Fit

10’s of others…

Mind Mapping

Cash Curve

Creative Problem Solving Toolbox Cause & Effect Ishikawa Diagram Idea Generation Brainstorming Storyboarding 100’s of others… Lateral Thinking Alternative Solutioning Force Fit 10’s of others… Mind Mapping Cash Curve

Cause & Effect

Ishikawa Diagram

Idea Generation

Brainstorming

Storyboarding

100’s of others…

Lateral Thinking

Alternative Solutioning

Force Fit

10’s of others…

Mind Mapping

Cash Curve

Differences & Similarities Differences: Creative Problem Solving: Overcome the mind's instinctive tendency to use "oversimplified associative thinking" in which two related concepts are so closely associated that their differences, and independence from one another, are often overlooked Six Sigma: Data-driven, systematic approach to problem solving, with a focus on customer impact -------------------------------------------------------------------- Mental Processing vs. Statistical Analysis Independent Creations vs. Existing Knowledge New vs. Known

Differences:

Creative Problem Solving:

Overcome the mind's instinctive tendency to use "oversimplified associative thinking" in which two related concepts are so closely associated that their differences, and independence from one another, are often overlooked

Six Sigma:

Data-driven, systematic approach to problem solving, with a focus on customer impact

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Mental Processing vs. Statistical Analysis

Independent Creations vs. Existing Knowledge

New vs. Known

Differences & Similarities (cont’d) Similarities: Both are problem solving tools Both expend a great deal of effort in identifying and defining the problem to be solved To be declared successful, both must improve the problem or process being addressed Both are subjected to metrics and measurements after the solution is implemented

Similarities:

Both are problem solving tools

Both expend a great deal of effort in identifying and defining the problem to be solved

To be declared successful, both must improve the problem or process being addressed

Both are subjected to metrics and measurements after the solution is implemented

Guidelines For Selecting The Right Tool Six Sigma: Process has already been defined Existing processes need improvement Metrics and data are available Problem can be defined as a “defect” Deliberate search for process improvement Creative Problem Solving : Process or approach does not currently exist Metrics and data are unavailable Systematic approach to problem solving does has not produced results Deliberate search for new ideas

Six Sigma:

Process has already been defined

Existing processes need improvement

Metrics and data are available

Problem can be defined as a “defect”

Deliberate search for process improvement

Creative Problem Solving :

Process or approach does not currently exist

Metrics and data are unavailable

Systematic approach to problem solving does has not produced results

Deliberate search for new ideas

How Do Six Sigma and Creative Problem Solving Compliment Each Other? Six Sigma Needs Creative Problem Solving for: Developing unique solutions to resolve gaps that are discovered or created in the process Unstructured idea campaigns leveraged by creative problem solving techniques often lead to new suggestions for process improvement efforts Creative Problem Solving Needs Six Sigma for: The capacity (resource, time, process, etc.) increases generated by process improvement activities provide project team members with more time to generate ideas and for quiet incubation Six Sigma process improvement campaigns often discover situations where improvements can only be made by developing entirely new solutions where measurable data is not available

Six Sigma Needs Creative Problem Solving for:

Developing unique solutions to resolve gaps that are discovered or created in the process

Unstructured idea campaigns leveraged by creative problem solving techniques often lead to new suggestions for process improvement efforts

Creative Problem Solving Needs Six Sigma for:

The capacity (resource, time, process, etc.) increases generated by process improvement activities provide project team members with more time to generate ideas and for quiet incubation

Six Sigma process improvement campaigns often discover situations where improvements can only be made by developing entirely new solutions where measurable data is not available

Concluding Remarks As a leaders and caretakers for the successful development and implementation of projects: Learn WHY both are uniquely different approaches to problem solving Learn WHAT each approach offers when facing specific problems Learn WHEN to use each approach Learn HOW each approach is designed to deliver different results Learn WHERE each approach can be best leveraged in the Project Management Lifecycle Having a good mix of Six Sigma process improvement projects along with new product/service development projects insures a well balanced project portfolio

As a leaders and caretakers for the successful development and implementation of projects:

Learn WHY both are uniquely different approaches to problem solving

Learn WHAT each approach offers when facing specific problems

Learn WHEN to use each approach

Learn HOW each approach is designed to deliver different results

Learn WHERE each approach can be best leveraged in the Project Management Lifecycle

Having a good mix of Six Sigma process improvement projects along with new product/service development projects insures a well balanced project portfolio

Concluding Remarks Each approach has its own limitations depending upon the problem There is no right or wrong usage between the two approaches Use the tools that work best for you Be on the lookout for extra tools to put in your problem solving toolbox Be willing to coach your project teams on the usage of these techniques and approaches

Each approach has its own limitations depending upon the problem

There is no right or wrong usage between the two approaches

Use the tools that work best for you

Be on the lookout for extra tools to put in your problem solving toolbox

Be willing to coach your project teams on the usage of these techniques and approaches

QUESTIONS ???

THANK YOU !!!