Root cause and project management
Root cause and project management
(OP)
I am a recent IE grad. I have been asked to lead a project that involves increasing the core recovery in our veneer production process. I identified the drastic reduction in our process and as a result I was assigned to spearhead the project. first, I have determined the root cause and it seems to involve 4 major factors.
1. System -
2. Design
3. Methods
4.Human / People
i have gone ahead to determine the causal paths for this different factors and their effects on the process. My question here is that I am trying to involve some operators and shop workers in my team, what would be the most logical way to address this project. This project would increase revenue by $30,000/month. I need some advice as I am feeling very tensed about this, however I know it would be a success. please respond
1. System -
2. Design
3. Methods
4.Human / People
i have gone ahead to determine the causal paths for this different factors and their effects on the process. My question here is that I am trying to involve some operators and shop workers in my team, what would be the most logical way to address this project. This project would increase revenue by $30,000/month. I need some advice as I am feeling very tensed about this, however I know it would be a success. please respond





RE: Root cause and project management
Get supervisor/superior approval to talk to the people on the floor.
Getting shop people to talk about a project is going out to the floor and getting to know the people not as superior but as an equal. Talk to them and give a little history about yourself. You may not even talk about the project just observe what is happening and tell them you are learning the ropes. Ask them to tell you about the job they do. Listen and learn. Ask questions why they do things. DO NOT be judgemental. Do this with several people not only to get to know the people but to verify your information and build trust. Judge who would be the best person for the team and now ask that person if she/he wants to be on the team.
Building shop floor confidence and respect takes a time investment on your part but yields many times over in ideas and approval from the shop.
RE: Root cause and project management
Regards and good luck.
RE: Root cause and project management
Do searches for that topic, you'll find 1000's of books all claiming to be the best source. I am an advocate of the Shainin approach to SS methods and a pretty decent book on that was written by Kheki Bohte, a former Motorola SS advocate.
TygerDawg
RE: Root cause and project management
The best way I have found to do this is to get their input on the design of the new process/machine. Often you can incorporate their ideas for no additional cost and it will give them the same desire to see the new process work as you have. If an operator makes a design suggestion you already decided on say “I was thinking about that too. Do you think it will work?”. This way he is taking ownership without a design change.
Leave the door open for improvements later. Hopefully you will learn from this and be able to improve the process even more next time. Make sure they know that there will probably be a next time so they are thinking about ways to make it better.
The most important thing I have saved for last. Make sure you thank them for their help while their boss is watching. This is for two reasons, it will be the truth and everyone likes a pat on the back.
Barry1961
RE: Root cause and project management