Lori Kinney

In 1979, Philip B. Crosby wrote what came to be seen as a landmark in quality management theory. The book, “Quality With” focuses on a managerial style that focuses on delivering quality in business, often in ways that are of little to no cost. One of the 14 steps listed on the way to quality […]

Frequently committed errors (FCE) are anomalies in a particular process that have a negative impact on the outcome. Essentially, anything that falls outside of the established, value-added activities within each process is an error. Identifying, recognizing and addressing frequently committed errors is essential to good business management. Overview: What are frequently committed errors? Every process […]

Utilization of project management tools helps ensure the success of a project. One such tool is the Gantt chart. At the beginning of the 20th century, Henry Gantt created a chart for recording the progress of workers when assigned to a task. His work revolutionized the field of project management, and his innovations are still […]

The concept of “erroneous” in Six Sigma emphasizes the importance of accuracy and reliability in data collection and analysis. Erroneous data can lead to incorrect conclusions, poor decision-making, and negative business outcomes. To address erroneous data, organizations can implement best practices such as defining what constitutes erroneous data, implementing robust data validation processes, using statistical […]

Overview: What is FMEA? When it comes to risk assessment in Lean Six Sigma, one of the most useful tools you can use is FMEA. FMEA stands for Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. It’s a tool used to identify and prioritize potential failures of a product or process through a systematic approach that involves identifying […]

It is necessary to have data organized in a systematic and uniform manner. This keeps information tidy and easy to interpret. One part of keeping data together in this way is by using an established form/format system. Can you imagine doing a major business deal and just being handed a blank sheet of paper to […]

With most major corporations, in order to get their products into your hands inexpensively, the work does not all happen in one place. More often than not, various aspects involved in the manufacturing process occur across more than one country. This would be very difficult to achieve if not for the advancement of globalization.Globalization plays […]

Making changes to your organization is foolish without having the proper data to tell you the impact that the changes may have. A tool called a “detectable effect size” can help in making that determination. It is nice to believe that certain changes that are proposed will have an impact on our business, but with […]

It is more important than ever for businesses to look at the needs and desires of their customers as indicators for how to operate. Since a business does not exist without customers, having an understanding of what they are looking for in the companies they support is imperative for success. More and more companies are […]

During the design or prototype stage of product development, there is a system of checks in place that can help make sure the product is successful in moving into the next stages. The products that are released into the mass market have gone through many stages of development so that they can be trusted by […]

Documentation can feel like a drag, but it is an important part of making sure your organization is successful. Without proper documentation, there is no record of how to reliably implement processes, and a complete lack of consistency could occur. Documentation is also necessary for important guidelines and policies to be referenced once they are […]

Understanding discrete data will give you yet another tool for understanding your process measure or outcome. This article will explain the tips and traps of using discrete data in process improvement.

When there is a need for changes that will improve end products or components, it is necessary to have proper documentation so that there is a paper trail and to ensure the correct modifications occur. An engineer change order is an important part of making sure that necessary changes to products are handled in a […]

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, organizations strive to enhance their operations, deliver superior quality, and meet customer expectations. To achieve these objectives, many organizations turn to DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), a structured problem-solving methodology widely employed in Six Sigma. DMAIC provides organizations with a systematic approach to identifying process inefficiencies, reducing […]

Efficiency and effectiveness are vital elements of any successful organization, but in the realm of Lean Six Sigma, there is another crucial concept that holds the key to achieving optimal results: efficacy. Efficacy goes beyond simply measuring efficiency or effectiveness; it encompasses the ability of a process or methodology to consistently deliver the desired outcomes […]

The general concept of developing relationships with customers is certainly not strange to the business world. However, leveraging tailored digital solutions to take this concept to the next level in practice is relatively new. Modern CRM leverages digital infrastructure and tools to improve how businesses interact with people. Overview: What is customer relationship management? CRM […]

What is performance in the workplace judged upon? What makes an exceptional worker? Being able to boil down the most important features is key to pinpointing the expectations of a worker’s performance. These key features are the critical elements. Overview: What is a critical element? A critical element can be defined as an aspect of […]

Having a continuous approach in your organization can be both positive and negative, depending on what it is in regard to. When it comes to improvement, being continuous is ideal. Striving for continuous improvement in your organization furthers the success of your company. Striving for continuity in other aspects, however, can be detrimental. Overview: What […]

Understanding continuous data will give you an advantage that is critical to successful process analysis. This article will explain the crucial role of continuous data in process improvement.

Defects are products or services that fail to meet customer requirements. By understanding defects created, we can work to reduce or eliminate them and ensure customer satisfaction.

When you make improvements to your processes, that is not enough. It is important to put measures in place that ensure that the work that has been done can be sustained.In the DMAIC process, your problem is defined, measurements are taken, analysis occurs, and improvements are made. After all of this, comes the final control […]

Problems are going to arise in business, but the companies that succeed in the long term are those that find the true causes of those problems and find ways to keep them from happening again. When an issue occurs, the inclination is to stop it quickly. While this is fine, it is important to actually […]

Businesses need structure in order to operate properly. This need for structure extends into nearly all aspects of an organization, including who holds the decision rights. In your organization, it is necessary for the procedures behind how processes and projects are implemented to be clear and definitive. Choosing the appropriate owner of the decision rights […]

Early on in our educational development, most of us received a simple worksheet that explained cause and effect. The importance of what causes are and the effects that come from them did not end in childhood but is important as an adult too, especially in the business world. Knowing what the causes are for the […]