Lean Strategies International
Menu

Listen to the Gemba

Would you like to submit a post on Listen to the Gemba?  
Click Here to Submit Your Continuous Improvement Post!

The Fishbone Diagram (7 basic quality tools)

2/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Fishbone Diagram
Click here to enroll in the Fish Methodology.
  The fishbone diagram, cause and effect, or ishikawa diagram is one of the most common quality tools used today.  Best known by its resemblance to a fish's body the fishbone diagram is used to show the many possible causes for an effect. The tool is used to help coordinating brainstorming in an effort to discover root causes.

Read More
0 Comments

The C&E/XY Matrix

10/24/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
  In almost every project you perform in both lean and six sigma teams will bring a long list of experience, talent and solutions to the project table.  But often times it can feel overwhelming when trying to decide which of the solutions to move forward on, especially if you have limited time for implementation.  So how do we complete this important project task without losing all of our hair?

What is the tool used for?
 
  The cause and effect matrix, C&E matrix or XY diagram is a great tool that can do the job quite effectively.  The XY matrix takes a list of possible X's and narrows them down into a more manageable amount of inputs.  Similar to the way a PPI measurement works in selecting projects the C&E/XY matrix helps us to prioritize solutions for implementation.  

How do we use the tool?

  First and foremost let's recall our formula that we use in six sigma projects,  Y=F(X).  We will use this same formula in our C&E/XY matrix.  The Y's or the red cells represent process outputs and the cells above our Y's which are yellow represent our customer's voice or the level of importance the outputs are to the customer.  Next we have the grey cells which shows us our input variables or our X's.  The X's are what input variables you will use in your attempt to accomplish the Y or customer desire.  Finally we have our blue cells which tell us the level of impact or correlation each input has on the output.  So let's define a process for using the C&E and walk through an example.


1.  The first thing we want to do is define the the process outputs.  This is simply the end result or customer desire that we are trying to achieve.  Let's say we are listing some important outputs for a hamburger we are making.  
  First we capture our Y's and input those items in the red cells.  After inputting your information we are then ready to figure out how important each of these outputs are.

2. To rank the importance of each output you 
Picture
will score each of the outputs on a scale of 10 to 1.  10 being the most important and 1 being the least important.  For best practice your most important Y will be your only 10, however your other Y's can and may score the same.  
Picture
As you can see to the left our customer has determined that meat being well done is the most important of our 5 outputs.  These numbers may come from voice of the customer surveys or any other appropriate method that would determine what is most important to the customer.  

3.  Next we are ready to begin listing our inputs.  These are the inputs that your team intends to do in order to improve the Y's or the outputs that we listed in our red column.
  Inputs could be anything from initiatives to projects or other activities you will use in order to achieve the outputs.  There are many different ways that you can gather suggestions for improvements like brainstorming and gemba walking.  Any way is acceptable just be sure to place those inputs in the grey boxes.
Picture
4.  Now we are ready to begin ranking to what degree of correlation or impact the input will have on the output.  The scale should be defined within your project team so that everyone agrees on the weighting.  For now though we will use the scale shown to the right.  The ranking should be discussed amongst your team members and each score should reach consensus before being inputted into your chart.  After you reach the agreed upon ranking pertaining to each input and output you can populate the blue cells. 
Picture
Picture
5. When this data is in the cells you see a total number and percentage number automatically populate.  We first want to look at the total column.  In the case of our hamburgers our priority would be first creating a standard for making the burgers, then adding a special sauce to our burgers.  The way we read is by looking for the highest number and placing our options in descending order going down.  
Picture
  Although our hamburger example was only in theory the XY/C&E matrix will be a very valuable tool for your team to use when you have multiple solutions in mind.  As always using any data that may exist is the best way to get the most accurate results, however if there is no type of data qualitative information will be very helpful.  Just remember that if you use the matrix based on qualitative data that the best thing you can do to get accurate results is make the team cross-functional.  
To download a free XY/C&E Template Click Here
0 Comments

    Author

    Click Here to Submit Your Post on Listen to the Gemba.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    March 2019
    January 2019
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    7 Management/Planning Tools
    Cause Effect
    Continuous Improvement
    Just In Time
    Lean-and-quality
    Lean-and-quality
    Lean-assessment
    Lean Basics
    Lean Courses
    Lean Holidays
    Lean Leadership
    Lean Metrics
    Lean Sales And Marketing
    Lean Six Sigma Basics
    Lean Strategy
    Lean Tools
    MRP/ERP
    Q&A
    REDUCE/SMED
    Six Sigma Tools
    Standardization
    Submit A Blog Post
    Top 20 Lean Tips
    Updates
    Waste

    Recommended Readings

    Lean and Six Sigma Recommended Readings
    Visit our Recommended Reading Page for some great Lean and Six Sigma Books.
Lean Strategies International LLC.
Follow Us on YouTube or Our Other Channels Below.
             ©2015-2021 Lean Strategies International LLC.  
  • Home Page
  • Services
    • Training >
      • Waste Training
      • Introduction to Lean
      • Lean Champions >
        • Lean Six Sigma White Belt
        • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
      • Lean Tools You Can Use Series! >
        • The 5S System
        • The ©Gemba Methodology
        • The FISH Methodology
        • The CURE Methodology
        • Quick Changeover with REDUCE
        • Mistake Proofing and the Poka Yoke System
        • The Just in Time System
  • Lean Resources
    • Listen to The Gemba
    • Glossary
    • Lean and Six Sigma Quotes
    • Recommended Reading
    • Events
    • Masters of Lean and Six Sigma
    • Career /Jobs
  • Store
    • Workspace
  • Home Page
  • Services
    • Training >
      • Waste Training
      • Introduction to Lean
      • Lean Champions >
        • Lean Six Sigma White Belt
        • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
      • Lean Tools You Can Use Series! >
        • The 5S System
        • The ©Gemba Methodology
        • The FISH Methodology
        • The CURE Methodology
        • Quick Changeover with REDUCE
        • Mistake Proofing and the Poka Yoke System
        • The Just in Time System
  • Lean Resources
    • Listen to The Gemba
    • Glossary
    • Lean and Six Sigma Quotes
    • Recommended Reading
    • Events
    • Masters of Lean and Six Sigma
    • Career /Jobs
  • Store
    • Workspace