Sep
15
Tools and Labels
Filed Under Strategy Execution, irRelevant Reflections | Leave a Comment
There is a continuing discussion about tools and labels. Which tools are six sigma tools, lean tools, Shainin tools, … Do we call our program Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, Lean, Shainin, TPS, TQM, …
Tools -
The only new tools are software tools – PC (but usually not Mac) based and affordable. The good new for Mac users is with the true dual core Intel chips used by Mac today, you can have a PC side to your Mac. The bad news is that it runs like a PC on the PC side (I think of it as my Mac’s evil alter ego).
All of the statistical tools have their foundation no later than 50 years ago. F tests, t tests, normal distributions, … are from the 19th century. The tools of Shainin are slick packaging of existing tools and even some ideas from the Gilette company back in the 1950’s. Shainin’s contribution was to simplify and make them cookbook at a time when we did not have good automation. That time is past. The tools of Taguchi are simplification of Fisher’s tools, again in a time where we did not have good automation. Taguchi also contributed the ideas that we may want to run processes at some ideal target rather than to spec – it’s implication is in how we train and set up to run processes.
All of the knowledge sharing tools – process maps, C&E diagrams, C&E matrices, FMEA, brainstorming, …. have their foundations in the 50’s and 60’s. The advances I know of other than just getting people to take them serious again are software. Tools like Quality Companion (there are others, look around before you buy) allow us to bring technology into our knowledge sharing sessions and also allow us to reuse common thoughts across all of these tools.
In all cases the technology only makes it simpler and faster, not better.
Simulation tools are also very nice although I will tell you I could do as good with a 1989 version of Lotus 123 – today’s simulation packages are again just simpler and faster.
Just remember it’s tools, usable and used. All that means is all tools are welcome – you just have to show how its useful and be willing to use it. All tools are welcome where I work, I only exclude those whose purpose is to impose dogma – like sigma levels or Red X or the like.
Labels –
Who cares what you call doing something right for your company? Just don’t get boxed in by a label. The danger exists with Lean, Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma, JIT, TPS.
Just remember your company has got to own it, it has to be driven by strategy and understood by all. If you do that, it’s the old zen adage – “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. Don’t be afraid to go outside to get your good people help – get rid of your bad people (read Jim Collins).
If I were to choose the label for your company, it would be one of two things – either Operational Excellence ® (full disclosure – I own the trademark) or a take off on TPS – Toyota Production System or Danaher Business System; something that tells everyone this is the way we do business around here.
Gary