Plan-Do-Check-Act Problem Solving

PDCA provides a structured and team approach to problem solving, and equips delegates with a range of tools and techniques to enable efficient root cause analysis.

Course Content

Introduction to Problem Solving
- Developing a structured approach
- The Plan Do Check Act cycle (PDCA)

Become Aware of the Problem
- Problem Solving vs fire fighting
- Proactive vs reactive problem solving
- Prioritising improvement projects

Establish the Team, Data Collection, & Planning
- Team selection and roles
- Data Collection - what data to collect
- Developing the time plan

Define and Quantify the Problem
- Problem description analysis
- SMART Objectives
- Process flow charting

Determine and Verify Root Causes
- Cause and effect, 4M checklists
- 5 Why, tally charts, Pareto analysis

Develop and Verify Solutions
- Creative solution generation techniques
- Brainstorming, brainlisting, analogy, lateral thinking
- Solution selection techniques

Implement and Verify Solutions
- Pilot testing and validation
- Developing an implementation plan
- Sustaining the improvement

Review Performance
- Lessons learnt
- Reviewing humanistic and mechanistic improvements

Overview of Poka Yoke
- Background and history
- Types of inspection and source inspection
- Examples of Poka Yoke devices