How to redefine your company quality strategy? Part I

With technology and globalization changing the business environment at whiplash inducing speeds, quality strategy redefinition is a necessity. But before you take any action, you should find out your company’s existing strengths and capabilities.
Here some of areas for your consideration:
1.1 Study your existing SPC implementation :
Here are 5 levels of SPC implementation
Level 1 - SPC as wallpaper only, without proper training
Level 2 - SPC on X’s or Y’s with fully trained operators. Operators will understand the signals, but management will not empower them to stop for investigation. Operators will learn to ignore or disconnect the warning signals once production becomes the #1 priority.
Level 3 - SPC, with Corrective Action = Inspection. Short term containment equals auditing or 100% inspection.
Level 4 - SPC, with Corrective Action = Equipment Flag. Process is stopped or equipment automatically shuts down, so that defects will not move forward.
Level 5 - SPC, with Corrective Action = Countermeasure. Improvements are made so that defect cannot occur again.
Where are you ? Are at the best (level 5) or the worst (level 1).

1.2 SPC - should apply on procuss inputs instead of outputs
Most companies apply SPC to finished goods (Y’s) rather than process characteristics (X’s).
The full power of SPC methods to improve quality, increase productivity, and reduce cost can only be realized if the process inputs become the focus of our effort.

Tony Lim 23-Aug-2007