Problem-Solving Strategy

The purpose of problem-solving is to eliminate a defect, defective, or nonconformance, or to close a gap. There are a number of strategies that exist to solve problems and all are based on the scientific method. Practitioners of advanced problem-solving have come to be called "Black Belts" in recent years.

We frequently teach PDCA and DMAIC as strategies to solve problems. PDCA is also a broader habit that underlies all business management, so that is dealt with separately.

DMAIC came into vogue with Six Sigma, and is frequently used today as part of a common language of problem-solving. The letters stand for:

• Define the problem or opportunity
• Measure the current state
• Analyze causes
• Improve the performance
• Control the improved process

Here are some key points to consider. First, you must spend some time defining the issue - too many teams get halfway through a project only to find out that each member has a different idea of what they are all supposed to be doing. It is also imperative to prove that you can measure the current process with an acceptable level of variation (also known as measurement system analysis). Many teams have vigorously attacked problems that were really nothing but inadequate gages. The control step is vital, since this is the step that prevents problems from reoccurring, and involves such tools as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, robust process design, statistical process control, reliability techniques, mistake proofing and standardization.

ROI offers the best advanced problem-solving / Black Belt training available today. When deploying BPE throughout an organization, we frequently find a need for a small cadre of advanced problem solvers, sometimes known as Black Belts, to be deployed against a few projects with high impact. We use an impressive Black Belt curriculum in this course.