Six Sigma For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 8

Diagramming to Identify Possible Factors

In This Chapter

Understanding the need for diverse and cross-functional teams in idea generation

Conducting a brainstorming session

Developing a fondness for affinity and fishbone diagrams

Using failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) to identify potential factors

The Six Sigma problem-solving approach requires that you objectively set aside your preconceived ideas about what the root cause of the problem may be. Instead, you explore and capture a list of all the factors that may in some way — large or small — be contributing to the problem you’re trying to solve. This chapter explores a few of the diagrams you can add to your toolkit for generating a comprehensive list of possible factors (the Xs) that may be contributing to the performance of your project’s critical output (the Y).

Whether you’re generating ideas through brainstorming, fishbone diagrams, or failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), you need to be working in a cross-functional ...