Facilitate Continuous Improvement
Strojniški vestnik - Journal of Mechanical Engineering 55(2009)5, StartPage-EndPage UDC 658.5
Paper received: 03.03.2008 Paper accepted: 00.00.200x
Basic Quality Tools in Continuous Improvement Process
Mirko Soković1,* - Jelena Jovanović2 - Zdravko Krivokapić2 - Aleksandar Vujović2 1 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia 2 University of Montenegro, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Podgorica, Montenegro If organizations wish to achieve continuous quality improvement they need to use appropriate selection of quality tools and techniques. In this paper a review of possibilities of the systematic use of seven basic quality tools (7QC tools) is presented. It is shown that 7QC tools can be used in all process phases, from the beginning of a product development up to management of a production process and delivery. It is further shown how to involve 7QC tools in some phases of continuous improvement process (PDCA-cycle), Six Sigma (DMAIC) and Design for Six Sigma (DMADV) methodologies, and Lean Six Sigma. © 2009 Journal of Mechanical Engineering. All rights reserved. Keywords: DMAIC, improvement processes, quality tools, Six Sigma, PDCA, 7QC tools, DMADV 0 INTRODUCTION Continuous quality improvement process assumes and requires that a team of experts together with the company leadership actively use quality tools in their improvement activities and decision making process. Currently there is a significant number of quality assurance and quality management tools available, so the selection of the most appropriate is not always an easy task. Tools are essential ingredients of a process and basic instruments for the success of a quality program. Many companies have used tools without giving sufficient thought to their selection and have then experienced barriers to progress. Quality Tools cannot remedy every quality problem but they certainly are a means for solving problems. Consequently, it needs to be emphasized that while tools can
Paper received: 03.03.2008 Paper accepted: 00.00.200x
Basic Quality Tools in Continuous Improvement Process
Mirko Soković1,* - Jelena Jovanović2 - Zdravko Krivokapić2 - Aleksandar Vujović2 1 University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia 2 University of Montenegro, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Podgorica, Montenegro If organizations wish to achieve continuous quality improvement they need to use appropriate selection of quality tools and techniques. In this paper a review of possibilities of the systematic use of seven basic quality tools (7QC tools) is presented. It is shown that 7QC tools can be used in all process phases, from the beginning of a product development up to management of a production process and delivery. It is further shown how to involve 7QC tools in some phases of continuous improvement process (PDCA-cycle), Six Sigma (DMAIC) and Design for Six Sigma (DMADV) methodologies, and Lean Six Sigma. © 2009 Journal of Mechanical Engineering. All rights reserved. Keywords: DMAIC, improvement processes, quality tools, Six Sigma, PDCA, 7QC tools, DMADV 0 INTRODUCTION Continuous quality improvement process assumes and requires that a team of experts together with the company leadership actively use quality tools in their improvement activities and decision making process. Currently there is a significant number of quality assurance and quality management tools available, so the selection of the most appropriate is not always an easy task. Tools are essential ingredients of a process and basic instruments for the success of a quality program. Many companies have used tools without giving sufficient thought to their selection and have then experienced barriers to progress. Quality Tools cannot remedy every quality problem but they certainly are a means for solving problems. Consequently, it needs to be emphasized that while tools can
References: [1] [2] Basu, R. Implementing Quality – A Practical Guide to Tools and Techniques, Thomson Learning, UK, 2004. Osanna, P.H., Durakbasa, M.N., AfjehiSadat, A. Quality in Industry, Vienna University of Technology, TU AuM, Wien, 2004. Tague, N.R. The quality toolbox, ASQ Quality press, Wisconsin 2005. Pimblott. J.G. Management improvement where to start, Quality forum, Vol. 16, No. 4, December 1990, pp. 165-173. N.N. Quality Management Systems, translation of DGQ educational material, 10. issue 2001, SZK, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2002. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [3] [4] [5] [12] [13] [14] Paliska. G. Universality and systematicness of quality tools, M.Sc. thesis, Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia, 2007. Scholtes, P. Brian, J.L. Streibel, B.J. The Team Handbook, Madison, WI: Joiner/Oriel Inc., USA, 2003. http://elsmar.com/pdf_files Soković, M. Jovanović, J. Krivokapić, Z. Vujović, A. Quality tools in improvement process, Proceedings of 2nd International Conference ICQME 2007, 12-14 September 2007, Budva, Montenegro, pp. 21-28. Keller.,P. Six Sigma Demystified – a selfteaching guide, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2005. Soković, M. Pavletić, D. Quality improvement – PDCA-cycle vs. DMAIC and DFSS, Strojniški vestnik – Journal of Mechanical Engineering53 (2007), 6, pp. 369-378. http://quality.dlsu.edu.ph/tools Taghizadegan, S. Essentials of Lean Six Sigma, Butterworth-Heinemann, UK, 2006. Soković, M. Pavletić, D. The Lean and Six Sigma syn ergy, Proceedings of 3rd International Conference ICQME 2008, 1012 September 2008, Budva, Montenegro, pp. 5-12. Basic Quality Tools in Continuous Improvement Process 9