Statistical Process Control Methods
Process Evaluation
Evaluate your process using 1 of the following:
• Use the lean concept to find ways to eliminate waste and improve the process
• SPC or Six Sigma to reduce defects or variances in the process
Six Sigma is a methodology that it’s used in improving, managing variation, and reducing defects in various processes across an organization. The use of lean and Six Sigma will analyze how an enterprise can reduce the time wastage in the documentation process of the software. Thirdly, the technique will highlight the major flaws or weaknesses and identify measures of correction. The use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods can help in analyzing the data.
Evaluation of Control Chart and Process Metrics
Complete the following in Excel:
• Calculate the defined process metrics including variation and process capability.
• Develop and display a control chart for the process.
Evaluate the control chart and process metrics using Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods. Determine whether the process could benefit from the use of Six Sigma, Lean, or other tools. (Include all calculation and charts.)
Documents Review time (days)
1 12
2 15
3 15
4 17
5 19
6 21
7 10
8 12
9 13
10 11
11 14
12 15
13 17
14 18
15 19
16 21
17 19
18 14
19 16
20 17
21 19
22 13
23 12
24 16
25 17
Mean 15.68
Standard deviation 3.03
Coefficient of variation 0.19
Minimum 10
Maximum 21
Range 11
This shows that with the use of six sigma process, process can be improved and hence most of the points are near the average value of the process
Executive Summary
Write a 700-word executive summary that includes the following:
• A summary of the Process Evaluation (using either Lean or SPC or Six Sigma)
• A summary of the Evaluation of Control Chart and Process metrics based on SPC methods
• A summary of your evaluation of whether the process would benefit from the use of Six Sigma, Lean, or other tools
• A description of the SPC project and recommendations for improvements
Introduction
Process evaluation is defined as a technique of reviewing the whole process, and ensure that there are only elements which adds value to the process. Six Sigma evaluation is a process that provides a better understanding of customer’s requirements, reduction of waste, and improvement of the overall process. The Six Sigma is a process evaluation which define, measure, analyze, improve, and control the improvement process of customer satisfaction. The criteria used in selecting the Six Sigma is that it’s a detailed process from the start to the last steps.
The Six Sigma describes the documentation process when a customer purchases a software. When customer purchases a software, they required to be delivered within the required timeframe with appropriate documents. Engineers plays a crucial role in reviewing all the documents, and ensure there are no errors in the current processes (Anbari, 2002). It is important to measure the time that is taken by an engineer to review the document before passing it to the next technical writer. Secondly, it’s crucial to measure the number of times that a document goes back, and forth from the author to the technical writer. After the review, it was evident that a lot of time is wasted when the document goes back, and forth. Understanding the problem can help in improving the process. A Quality Assurance staff was employed to monitor the improvement of this process.
Evaluation of Control Chart
The analysis indicate that the document review process should be fixed since the customers pays a lot of money for the software and its documentation. The entire process should be therefore efficient to ensure timely delivery of the software (Anbari, 2002). The analysis has revealed that there are various reasons why some documents are late, and others are not. The main reason is that some documents fails to meet the requirements. On the other hand, those documents that meet the required requirements still not close to the delivering on time.
Evaluation
The Six Sigma would help improve the process of documentation. Secondly, there a lot of lop holes which need to be fixed in the process. This will enable customers receives value for the money they are paying to purchase the software, and its documentation.
Recommendations for the improvement
The Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a tool which is used as a control chart in gathering the input data. The SPC showed the time which it takes for a document to be written, reviewed, finalized, and then signed. The SPC also indicated the timeframe which it took by customers in returning the document (More Steam, 2021). In most case, the documentation process failed to meet the stipulated the required time frames. There were various mistakes that were noticeable in the delivery of software, and its documents. Based on the evaluation, the documents were sent by the engineer to technical managers through the email. It would take about one to week weeks for stakeholders to review the documents. Due to multiple document reviews, there was a lot of time consumed in the documentation process. A meeting was also conducted among the stakeholders involved, and then everyone should give their comments. Additionally, everyone individual would have the responsibility of approving the document in real time. The Six Sigma would minimize the errors made because the documents will not go forward leading to loss of emails.
Conclusion:
Six Sigma is a process improvement technique which is a tool that helps in adding value to the customers. This technique has helped reduce errors in the process documentation of the software. These tools can significantly help improve the lead time, and overall documentation process.
References
Anbari, F. T. (2002). Six sigma method and its applications in project management. Paper
Presented at Project Management Institute Annual Seminars & Symposium, San Antonio, TX. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
More Steam (2021) Statistical Process Control (SPC). [Online] Available from:
https://www.moresteam.com/toolbox/statistical-process-control-spc.cfm
