Polaroid Case
Polaroid Case Objectives
* Introduces the construction and use of statistical process control (SPC) charts and an understanding of the relationship between SPC and conformance quality.
* Creating the strategy and implementation steps for transforming an operation from inspection-based to one that relies on statistically controlled process.
* Understanding the complex human and organizational problems that occur when the basic operating philosophy is changed.
* Applying quality tools to assess the root causes of defect problems.
* Understanding the limits of product sampling and inspection methods, especially for a product that is destroyed by the inspection process itself
Assignment:
In the mid 1980s, one of Polaroid's instant film plants is reassessing its traditional approach to quality and is trying to move itself onto a new improvement path. Management must decide what recently gathered data reveal about process control and what actions are appropriate.
1. What is the magnitude of cost of quality problems at the R2 plant? How effective were its past procedures for quality management?
2. Using the data in the exhibits and the note on process control charts, construct and analyze the appropriate SPC charts. What conclusions should Rolfs draw?
3. What recommendations would you make to Rolfs in order to address both near- and longer- term issues?
4. How did Polaroid maintain quality film cartridges before Project Greenlight? What are the implications of that approach
5. What is Rolf's strategy for Project Greenlight?
6. From your analysis of the pod weights, is the pod-making process in control?
7. What about the finger height of the injection molded plastic end cap? How can you begin to understand what's going on here?
8. Is the pod weight process a capable process? How is capability determined?
9. What is your assessment of Project Greenlight?
10. Is the quality
* Introduces the construction and use of statistical process control (SPC) charts and an understanding of the relationship between SPC and conformance quality.
* Creating the strategy and implementation steps for transforming an operation from inspection-based to one that relies on statistically controlled process.
* Understanding the complex human and organizational problems that occur when the basic operating philosophy is changed.
* Applying quality tools to assess the root causes of defect problems.
* Understanding the limits of product sampling and inspection methods, especially for a product that is destroyed by the inspection process itself
Assignment:
In the mid 1980s, one of Polaroid's instant film plants is reassessing its traditional approach to quality and is trying to move itself onto a new improvement path. Management must decide what recently gathered data reveal about process control and what actions are appropriate.
1. What is the magnitude of cost of quality problems at the R2 plant? How effective were its past procedures for quality management?
2. Using the data in the exhibits and the note on process control charts, construct and analyze the appropriate SPC charts. What conclusions should Rolfs draw?
3. What recommendations would you make to Rolfs in order to address both near- and longer- term issues?
4. How did Polaroid maintain quality film cartridges before Project Greenlight? What are the implications of that approach
5. What is Rolf's strategy for Project Greenlight?
6. From your analysis of the pod weights, is the pod-making process in control?
7. What about the finger height of the injection molded plastic end cap? How can you begin to understand what's going on here?
8. Is the pod weight process a capable process? How is capability determined?
9. What is your assessment of Project Greenlight?
10. Is the quality