stead of spending time to justify how the target is too high, team might as well analysis what it takes to meet the assigned target. Most of the time, team complained that those assigned targets are unreasonable. Due to this fact, I always advocate the team that they must think of some unreasonable actions in order to get those unreasonable results. There is a saying “Only idiot would think of getting different result by doing similar things”

b) Benchmark the process
There is no better way to insist team to improve processes by using systematic improvement tools such as process capab

This TQM article is a continuation of the Part 4a article, the IMPROVE PHASE. In this issue, I will share with you some of the difficulties faced with the team in carry out this TQM project using these tools in the D.A.I.C. methodology as described in the article.

Just to recap, tools used in the IMPROVE Phase are listed below. In this article, I will cover the tools in bold:

Brainstorming of action / solution | Selection Grid | Benchmarking | Cost-Benefit Analysis | Control lot and testing | Pilot the action / solution | Force-Field Analysis | Prevention Planner

Problem with Benchmarking

a) Benchmark the result
In most cases, teams work on projects that are assigned by management. Come along with the project is the assigned target. These targets are normally taken from the budget which has been committed to the shareholders during the budget time. Subsequently, the target figures are used to compute operating costs.

After team is set up, team would follow the steps in the D.A.I.C. methodology. When team arrived at setting target, there were incidence teams still debate how realistic was the target given by the management. Team failed to realize that the target is a minimum benchmark figure as far as budget is concerned.

b) Benchmark the process
In many occasions, members from one plant visited another would agree the visited plant is better, their process are more efficient and so on. When asked to use the visited plant processes performance as a benchmark, member give many reasons why they are different from the visited plant hence cannot meet the benchmark processes. In many case, even the management are in agreement to their rationale.

How to Overcome Benchmarking Problem

a) Benchmark the result
There are two schools of thoughts dealing with this issue. Firstly, to challenge the target set by the management with data to support your justification. You may should some trend of some historical data but keep in mind that data are historical. Strictly speaking, while historical data provides a trend in the past it does not fully support prediction for the future. Since there is no absolute truth to its justification, the assigned target is good as anybody else guesses. Under such circumstance, management would not convince to change the target.

Secondly, instead of spending time to justify how the target is too high, team might as well analysis what it takes to meet the assigned target. Most of the time, team complained that those assigned targets are unreasonable. Due to this fact, I always advocate the team that they must think of some unreasonable actions in order to get those unreasonable results. There is a saying “Only idiot would think of getting different result by doing similar things”

b) Benchmark the process
There is no better way to insist team to improve processes by using systematic improvement tools such as process capabi

Business Boosting - Fundraising Events Can Boost Your Business
People are the life-blood of your business and talking to as many people as possible will keep your business dynamic and fresh. Fundraising events such as craft fairs, school fetes, office displays at lunchtime, Christmas bazaars, ladies pampering evenings and charity fund days are a fantastic opportunity to promote your business at a local level.Why? Well, what's exciting about fundraising events is that they are a massive market of different groups of people that your business wouldn't easily get to - charity groups, school PTA members and parents, mothers from the playgroup, church groups, sports clubs, league of friends, church groups, people in offices, local
>Problem with Benchmarking
a) Benchmark the result
In most cases, teams work on projects that are assigned by management. Come along with the project is the assigned target. These targets are normally taken from the budget which has been committed to the shareholders during the budget time. Subsequently, the target figures are used to compute operating costs.

After team is set up, team would follow the steps in the D.A.I.C. methodology. When team arrived at setting target, there were incidence teams still debate how realistic was the target given by the management. Team failed to realize that the target is a minimum benchmark figure as far as budget is concerned.

b) Benchmark the process
In many occasions, members from one plant visited another would agree the visited plant is better, their process are more efficient and so on. When asked to use the visited plant processes performance as a benchmark, member give many reasons why they are different from the visited plant hence cannot meet the benchmark processes. In many case, even the management are in agreement to their rationale.

How to Overcome Benchmarking Problem
a) Benchmark the result
There are two schools of thoughts dealing with this issue. Firstly, to challenge the target set by the management with data to support your justification. You may should some trend of some historical data but keep in mind that data are historical. Strictly speaking, while historical data provides a trend in the past it does not fully support prediction for the future. Since there is no absolute truth to its justification, the assigned target is good as anybody else guesses. Under such circumstance, management would not convince to change the target.

Secondly, instead of spending time to justify how the target is too high, team might as well analysis what it takes to meet the assigned target. Most of the time, team complained that those assigned targets are unreasonable. Due to this fact, I always advocate the team that they must think of some unreasonable actions in order to get those unreasonable results. There is a saying “Only idiot would think of getting different result by doing similar things”

b) Benchmark the process
There is no better way to insist team to improve processes by using systematic improvement tools such as process capab

How Can Travel Nursing Services Help Me?
Are you a nurse with the experience and qualities that travel nursing services are looking for? If you are unsure but are thinking about signing up with a travel nursing service, it is important that you carry out some research to find out a little more information in order to make sure that you fit the bill before going any further.1. It is important that you should know that some travel nursing services prefer to hire nurses who are certified. So if you do not have certification then consider obtaining a speciality certification and this way you will have the edge over other travel nurse candidates.2. Many seasoned travel nurses will tell you that the ideal ca
m failed to realize that the target is a minimum benchmark figure as far as budget is concerned.

b) Benchmark the process
In many occasions, members from one plant visited another would agree the visited plant is better, their process are more efficient and so on. When asked to use the visited plant processes performance as a benchmark, member give many reasons why they are different from the visited plant hence cannot meet the benchmark processes. In many case, even the management are in agreement to their rationale.

How to Overcome Benchmarking Problem
a) Benchmark the result
There are two schools of thoughts dealing with this issue. Firstly, to challenge the target set by the management with data to support your justification. You may should some trend of some historical data but keep in mind that data are historical. Strictly speaking, while historical data provides a trend in the past it does not fully support prediction for the future. Since there is no absolute truth to its justification, the assigned target is good as anybody else guesses. Under such circumstance, management would not convince to change the target.

Secondly, instead of spending time to justify how the target is too high, team might as well analysis what it takes to meet the assigned target. Most of the time, team complained that those assigned targets are unreasonable. Due to this fact, I always advocate the team that they must think of some unreasonable actions in order to get those unreasonable results. There is a saying “Only idiot would think of getting different result by doing similar things”

b) Benchmark the process
There is no better way to insist team to improve processes by using systematic improvement tools such as process capab

Preparing For Your Job Interview: What You Need To Know To Be Successful
In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their mission is to know you and assess your worth, especially in relationship to the other candidates interviewed. Asking you questions is the way they accomplish that mission.You’ll be asked to tell the interviewer about yourself, your qualifications (especially as they pertain to the specific opening), your professional background, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses, and your goals. So the first step is to know yourself. Be prepared to talk about your skills, competencies, qualifications and accomplishments. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Explore the goals you have for yourself – both
Benchmark the result
There are two schools of thoughts dealing with this issue. Firstly, to challenge the target set by the management with data to support your justification. You may should some trend of some historical data but keep in mind that data are historical. Strictly speaking, while historical data provides a trend in the past it does not fully support prediction for the future. Since there is no absolute truth to its justification, the assigned target is good as anybody else guesses. Under such circumstance, management would not convince to change the target.

Secondly, instead of spending time to justify how the target is too high, team might as well analysis what it takes to meet the assigned target. Most of the time, team complained that those assigned targets are unreasonable. Due to this fact, I always advocate the team that they must think of some unreasonable actions in order to get those unreasonable results. There is a saying “Only idiot would think of getting different result by doing similar things”

b) Benchmark the process
There is no better way to insist team to improve processes by using systematic improvement tools such as process capab

Manufacturing Tips: Five Casting Technologies to Consider for Your Design
The foundry business has been under siege for the last 10 years, maybe more. In fact, here in Philadelphia, during the 60's there were at least 30 major foundries. Now there is only one major producer. But the casting process is growing on a global basis. It is the backbone of manufacturing the majority of our metal products. Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of 5 casting processes.1) Sand CastingSand casting is one of the oldest processes. As the name implies. a fine form of sand is used as the mold. Metal is poured(gravity feed) into the mold. After the material has cooled, the frame is released and the sand falls away. Leaving th
stead of spending time to justify how the target is too high, team might as well analysis what it takes to meet the assigned target. Most of the time, team complained that those assigned targets are unreasonable. Due to this fact, I always advocate the team that they must think of some unreasonable actions in order to get those unreasonable results. There is a saying “Only idiot would think of getting different result by doing similar things”

b) Benchmark the process
There is no better way to insist team to improve processes by using systematic improvement tools such as process capability etc. Management should be persistent enough to follow through such expectations and provide assistance to help the team to succeed. Such assistance may include further training, enhancement of analytical knowledge and skill or even engage external help.

Problem with Cost-Benefit Analysis
While the tool is guided by a template, most problems faced by team in this tool is to justify the cost may have incurred and validity of the benefits stated. Team were not able to convince the finance managers the tangible benefits are reasonable. I had many cases where team over estimate the saving, or over optimistic about the improvement results. Thus make the Cost-Benefit Analysis unrealistic.

How to Overcome Cost Benefit Analysis Problem

Key focus to this issue is to justify the cost and benefit with real data and analysis. Simulation test or even pilot run to confirm certain improvement will be a great help to ascertain your action. This is one tool that it must be done quantitatively not only to justify the cost, but to provide assurance to the team for action to be taken.

In summary, there bound to have problem with the tools used. When it happened, it must be addressed promptly before team member loss confidence. Team must use these tools effectively so that it helps in the improvement planning. In my next article, I will continue to share how team uses other tools in the IMPROVE PHASE to improve their project. I welcome readers feedback how else I could present these articles.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:
All rights reserved. This article is written by the author based on his practical application experience. All definitions and interpretation of terminology are his point of view and has it has no intention to conflict with experts in similar topic. The author holds no responsibility for the use of this article in any way.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Free to reprint or re-publish:
All rights reserved. You are free to reprint or re-publish this article as long as you include my resource box at the end of this article. Please ensure that the URL in the resource box remain intact and it is linked to the author's website.

------------------------------------------------------