Learning Box : Learn from failure

Learning Box : Learn from failure

Being inspired with quality circles idea, “learning box” is a continuous improvement method which is easy to understand and implement.

A learning box is a physical container or designated area for the defective products that are rejected during the process by the operators. The idea is to review the products during the morning meetings and discuss how to avoid similar problems happening again. The activity is done with selected stake holders (i.e. operators, shift leaders, supervisors, managers and so on).

Basically it is a simple and effective preventive tool which gives companies the opportunity to learn from their failure. This tool is also a great support to FMEA.

We can use the “learning box” idea as an input provider to our quality strategy and roadmap.

We work in a business environment that is full of input as every day learning which comes from the customer, internal and external failure, meetings, feedback from different stake holders, benchmarking, etc. 

It is somehow popular to create new strategies or roadmaps every 2-3 years. The new one is initiated before the previous one is fully executed and its results are evaluated.

We need to motivate ourselves to resist to work on a new strategy if there is a no strong reason behind it. Instead we need work on making the existing strategy stronger by using the every day learning we have.

What do you think ?

My learning box is not a physical container. But it helps to collect the input, wash with the stake holders and feed the strategy or the roadmap.

Problem solving : S.C.O.R.E

Problem solving : S.C.O.R.E

A simple problem-solving approach : “SCORE”

Problem solving and any improvement activity require a structured approach to make sure that the results are sustainable. Some companies find it difficult to change habits and use a standardized problem-solving approach. Most of the companies use 5 why and fishbone techniques to make root cause analysis and define actions (not a full structured approach) because their customers demand it.

“SCORE” can be an easy solution to use if you find it hard to work with 8D, A3, PDCA or other methods.

“SCORE” is an approach that is used in continuous improvement activities such as Kaizen events. It can be also applied to “problem solving”.

Select the process or the problem to be worked on.

Clarify the problem. Define the problem concretely and quantify.(How big is the problem?)

Organize the team that will work on the process or the problem.

Run. Implement the actions as a team to solve the problem and improve. (This includes all the work such as root cause analysis, data collection, analyze and so on.)

Evaluate. Validate the actions and set the standard.

“SCORE” can be compared to 8D (8 Disciplines Problem Solving), A3 or PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act).

At the end of the day, there are multiple methods that can be used. They only give result and become sustainable with the following preconditions.

  • Accept the problem and show no resistance
  • Focus on everyday improvement (everyday better than yesterday)
  • Work together and support each other having one and the same goal that is to add value to customer