Liam Frady

What Is PDCA? The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) method is a framework used to achieve continuous improvement in a particular organization or process. It’s also known by several other names, including the Deming wheel, the Shewhart cycle, and the control circle. Even though the method was originally rooted in quality control, it has since been […]

What is Continuous? Continuous data refers to numerical data with any value within a certain range. The values have infinite possibilities, but they all fall within a range. These can be whole numbers or decimals measured using data analysis like skews and line graphs. This kind of data can change over time and […]

Steps in Constructing an X-Bar and R Control Chart: This document contains the step-by-step instructions to construct an X-bar and R control chart. First the R chart is constructed. If the R chart validates that the process variation is in statistical control, the XBAR chart is constructed.

Understanding what quality targets are and how to center product uniformity around them is a helpful step in overall process improvement, ultimately leading to increased profits and customer satisfaction rates.

Understanding and determining the upper and lower statistical limits are the key to determining tolerance range (TR). Find out more about this LSS concept.

What is a Subject Matter Expert? Subject matter experts (SMEs) are people who have a significant amount of knowledge or experience regarding a specific subject. They can specialize in any kind of academic discipline, profession, or practice. Even though their area of expertise is relatively narrow compared to general consultants, there is still […]

With Six Sigma, customer satisfaction comes first. We’ve talked at length in the past about the various nomenclature, techniques, and so forth that drive Six Sigma. As a comprehensive discipline, it is a transformative means of making your organization the best it can be. However, it is a methodology and approach that takes […]

Lean Six Sigma is a system that measures how well a process operates, with “six sigma” being the level of perfection in which processes operate at or below 3.4 defects per million units produced. In order to achieve this, companies must eliminate all but the most critical process steps and then re-engineer those remaining steps to be more efficient and effective.

It is important in business to have a sampling system in place to determine when to dump a pack of units dumped due to an unacceptable amount being defective. LTPD is part of this sampling system.

When it comes to Six Sigma, data is your lifeblood. The ability to interpret what the data is saying is how you know whether you are on the right path. Further, it shows how you’re achieving your goals and objectives and avoiding roadblocks on your journey toward success. Accurately collected and analyzed data […]

If you have a new machine or equipment, you need to be able to determine if it is going to have the potential to make the cut. That is where Cmk comes in.

What Is Linearity? Before understanding linearity, we must understand another measurement error known as bias. Bias is a consistent mistake that occurs in measurement. For example, every measure taken with your scale comes out heavier than the actual weight. Linearity measures the consistency of a bias over the entire range of possible measurements. […]

Achieving world-class quality isn’t something every organization can do, because so much of what makes it possible cannot be taught. It boils down to mindset and certain character traits that some people have, some people don’t. Do you?

The definition of non-conformity is provided and then described with examples of what non-conformities involve, giving examples of the process approach to facilitate the management of the non-conformities.

A predetermined motion time system can be useful for everything from estimating labor costs to balancing production lines. It is a concept worth exploring for its myriad applications.

Big Data vs. Small Data Big data vs. small data, which should you be paying attention to? Data is generated throughout an organization. You’re gathering it when selling products, producing things, and even just interacting with customers. However, when we start talking about data, the notion of big data and small data enter […]

When it comes to sampling plans, there are some terms that are absolutely crucial to be aware of. These are Acceptable Quality Level (AQL), Indifference Quality Level (IQL), and Rejectable Quality Level (RQL).

With your business, sometimes a need arises to address an issue swiftly and with all hands on deck. A Kaizen Event is meant for these kinds of times.

What is PDSA? PDSA stands for Plan, Do, Study, and Act. It is a method that is used to test a change that is being implemented or has been implemented. Working through these four steps guides thinking into breaking down a task into sections and then evaluating the result, making improvements, and then […]

In manufacturing, production may have to halt due to an issue somewhere in the process. Once the issue is addressed, it is important to know just where the clean point is.

What AI-powered tools are transforming the way businesses work? The cork is out of the bottle, so to speak, and AI has arrived in a big way. That said, you might be left in the lurch when it comes to integrating artificial intelligence in your workplace. You don’t have to worry, though, we’re […]

What is data-driven decision-making? Chances are you’re used to seeing data-driven being bandied about, considering this you’re on our site. However, that isn’t the full approach we’re discussing today. Six Sigma is a methodology driven by data, but it isn’t the whole picture for this new set of tools coming about in the […]

The Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology can be thought of as a roadmap for problem-solving and product/process improvement. Most companies begin implementing Six Sigma using the DMAIC methodology and later add the DFSS (Design for Six Sigma, also known as DMADV or IDDOV) methodologies when the organizational culture and […]

What are the differences between PDCA and DMAIC? There is no shortage of jargon and acronyms to keep track of within the Six Sigma methodology. However, the two methods we’re looking at today blur the lines substantially. So, let’s jump in and see exactly how these approaches differentiate themselves. What is PDCA? Plan […]