Process Flow Analysis
Process flow analysis helps to evaluate the condition of an ongoing procedure. It uses visual management, value addition, and waste removal techniques to develop a precise image of an existing process and facilitate the identification of flaws. Process flow analysis constitutes a chain of actions, inputs and outputs, crucial decisions, personnel, duration of individual steps, and process measurements.
The purpose of process flow analysis is to enable workers to learn how a procedure is executed. The analysis can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to allow employees not only to evaluate an ongoing process but also document it. It can help identify and correct errors in an existing process since it enables workers to view the entire procedure.
Cause-Effect Diagram
A cause-effect diagram is an analytical instrument that enables people to determine the likelihood of an event. It works by classifying possible causes into small groups. The chart allows workers to understand the connection between various contributing factors. The purpose of a cause-effect diagram is to streamline operations in both the manufacturing and service industries. In the manufacturing industry, it considers the 6Ms, which are essential to the success of a process.
They are methods, machines, materials, measurements, mother nature, and manpower. Conversely, in the service industry, it considers the 4S, which are surroundings, suppliers, systems, and skills. A Cause-effect diagram can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to help identify regulations and policies that might stall a process. It can also be used to evaluate the capabilities of a workforce, the significance of employee training, the effectiveness of recruitment exercise, and positions that might contribute to bottleneck and take the necessary measures.
Run Chart
A run chart is an analytical instrument that is used to analyze the quality of a process. It comprises a line graph of figures drawn over a specified time. A run chart enables process managers to determine the pattern or trend of a procedure. The primary purpose of a run chart is to assist operators to find out and respond to variations in the central tendency of a system. It entails plotting observed data on the Y-axis and the time of observation on the x-axis.
A run chart is a valuable instrument at the launch of a project because it divulges vital information regarding a process, thus facilitating the compilation of adequate data to formulate dependable control limits. It can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to assist in monitoring information and forecasting trends. It can also be used to improve the course of an ongoing process by guaranteeing the stability of its central tendency and correcting possible changes in a pattern.
Control Chart
A control chart refers to a graph that helps to evaluate changes in a process. It comprises a central, an upper, and a lower line. The lines represent the average, high, and low limits of a process respectively. The primary purpose of a control chart is to evaluate the consistency of process variations. It can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to assist in estimating the range of expected results of a process. It can also help to identify and address problems in an existing process. A control chart may assist in analyzing universal and particular causes of process variation, therefore enabling individuals to take the necessary steps to guarantee the quality of the outcomes.
Scatter Diagram
A scatter diagram refers to an analytical instrument that is used to assess the connection between independent and dependent variables. In the manufacturing or service industries, scatter charts help to determine the correlation between various inputs and outputs of a given process. A Scatter diagram is essential in determining the possible causes of variations in processes. It can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to assist in enhancing the quality of an outcome. Understanding the correlation between an input and an output may help to improve the outcome of a process. Hence, a scatter diagram may be used to adjust or vary procedures until the desired result is achieved.
Histogram
A histogram comprises tabular frequencies, depicted as contiguous rectangles. It is one of the seven essential instruments of quality control. The principal purpose of a histogram is to facilitate the review, representation, and analysis of process information. Continuous improvement activities require the gathering of information via simple quality instruments like tally charts. Nevertheless, there is a need for analyzing the data. Thus, a histogram can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to help in analyzing gathered information.
Pareto Chart
A Pareto chart is a bar graph, which is used to determine the factors that have a significant influence on a process. It is one of the seven essential quality tools. The primary purpose of a Pareto chart is to identify the problems that require prioritizing to guarantee the success of a process. A Pareto diagram is invaluable in exploring the occurrence of a cause or issue in a process. It also helps to identify the most significant root of the problem.
A Pareto chart can be adopted for continuous improvement activities to assist in identifying the issues that require urgent handling. The chart relies on quantifiable data, hence helpful in determining the problems that might have significant impacts on the results of a process.