Process Capability Improvement and Optimisation
Variation
Variation is an intrinsic part of every aspect of business. Controlling and reducing variation is in many respects what improvement is essentially about.
Quantifying the amount of variation in a process is a critical step towards improvement. Understanding the immediate and root causes of such variation determines the countermeasures and process changes that will lead to lasting improvement: smoother running machines; better yield on materials; fewer complaints, rejects, scrap and rework- and less reliance on inspection; fewer machine breakdowns; fewer performance discrepancies from day to day or between shifts; a more settled life for all, with far fewer errors or unpleasant surprises.
The amount of variation in a process tells us what that process is capable of achieving: specifications tell us what we want a machine or process to achieve; process capability tells us how well a process is performing against the specification. Traditionally, any value within the specification limits was seen as acceptable. A more competitive view is that whenever a value or attribute deviates from the target, there is a loss: the bigger the deviation, the bigger the loss.
There is a need to distinguish between two categories of variation:
- Special cause variation means something different has happened at a certain time or place.
- Common cause variation is always present to some degree in the process.
Though our goal is to minimise both types, each needs a very different approach.
Forward Vision have helped many businesses improve performance thorough reducing variation and optimising processes. Frequently used devices include:
- Cause and Effect Analysis
- Statistical Process Control
- Capability Analysis
- Analysis of variances(ANOVA)
- Correlation and Regression
- Taguchi Optimisation
- Design of Experiments
Forward Vision uses a facilitative approach to guide teams to identify the cause of special variations and provide immediate countermeasures to remedy the situation. We will guide your teams to develop long-term remedies that will prevent the special cause from recurring. Using continuous improvement techniques, Forward Vision will also coach your team to implement measures that will reduce common cause variation over the long term.
Contact Forward Vision to determine how we can help improve the capability of machines and processes in your business.
