Continuous Process Improvement, Data Science, and Statistical Analysis
A recent article in Harvard Business Review calls to attention some of the challenges inherent in analyzing Human Resources data. The writer, Peter Cappelli, points out that analysis of HR data is hampered by a variety of factors including legal issues encountered when crossing international borders, lack of abundant data, and a sense that not…
The primary purpose of using data in decision-making is to ensure that the best outcome (driven by data, without interference from personal bias) is achieved. However, this is a very utilitarian perspective that doesn’t take into account the human factors involved in process change. Because of these human factors (biases, fear of change, need to…
I’m not always the smartest Continuous Improvement practitioner in the room (unless I’m all by myself… at least until the cat walks by). Sometimes I get to pretend I’m smart, and other times I’m smart enough to not even try. One person who I’ll never try to outsmart is Zach Weinersmith. Zach is a fantastic…
Implementation of a new CPI initiative involves interrelated parts moving fluidly through (and beyond) the entire organization. One method of implementation focuses on using an audit checklist to drive the desired results. This is related to the concept of “beginning with the end in mind”, and can be an essential part of driving the right…
Occasionally I run across a new resource that makes process improvement easy. I recently discovered a “new” (to me, anyway) book from 2002 (“The Six Sigma Way Team Fieldbook”, written by Pande, Neuman, and Cavanagh) that I want to share with you because it presents Six Sigma tools and methods in a refreshingly useful way.…
During the Six Sigma Measure phase of your project you will probably be collecting a great deal of data. If you aren’t careful, you’ll end up collecting a lot more than you need (either by chasing too much data initially, or by having to go back during the Analyze phase to capture the data you…