TEMPLATES |

TEMPLATES

DEFINE TEMPLATES

Please be advised that some of the TEMPLATES have automated formulas in.

– A3

A3 reports are simply a waste-free way for report writing and communication, but the basic building blocks of the A3 report provide a nice template for good thinking.

– Communication Plan

The plans, findings, actions of a DMAIC lean six sigma project need to be communicated to the team stakeholders and other interested parties on a regular basis. The communication plan is meant to achieve this purpose.

– Project Charter

The Project Charter is an official, basic document that outlines a process improvement project. It is the first step in a Lean Six Sigma project, and therefore takes place in the Define phase of DMAIC. However, it can be periodically reviewed, refined, and revised throughout the project.

– Project Selection Tool

The Project Selection Tool helps you determine which projects are good Lean Six Sigma projects based on the impact it may have on customers, what the potential time savings are, what the potential cost savings are, and how manageable the projects are.

– Gemba Walk Interview Sheet

The Gemba Walk Interview Sheet is a simple data collection form, designed for transactional processes. It is used to ask pertinent questions during a Gemba Walk.

– RACI – Matrix

A RACI Matrix is a powerful tool that helps increase accountability for a project. RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. It provides structure and clarity to projects by listing action items, responsible people and follow-up items.

– SIPOC

A SIPOC is ordered from start to finish. In conversational English, every Process starts with Suppliers, who provide Inputs to the Process, which results in an Output that is delivered to Customers.

– Stakeholder Analysis

A Stakeholder Analysis enables you to outline who has a vested interest in how a process performs. Remember that stakeholders do not receive the product or service. It helps you determine how and when to reach out and communicate with stakeholders to build buy-in, which is critical to a project’s success.

– Swimlane Map

A Swimlane Map is a process map that separates process steps by function, department or individual. Each lane represents a different department or individual. The process map is called a swim lane because the map resembles a pool with lanes identifying the different groups in the process.

– Threats-Opportunities Matrix

A Threats & Opportunities Matrix is a simple 2 x 2 grid that captures the threats of not implementing a proposed solution and, conversely, the potential opportunities if the solution is accepted. This matrix is often completed with a particular Stakeholder group in mind and then it becomes part of Stakeholder Management efforts.

– Value Stream Map

A Value Stream Map visually maps the flow of steps, delay, and information required to deliver a product or service; this is called a “Current State” Map. Value Stream Mapping then analyzes the Current State Map in terms of 1) creating flow, 2) eliminating waste, and creates a more efficient Future State Map.

– Voice Of the Customer (VOC)-Translation Matrix

The VOC (Voice Of the Customer) Translation Matrix is a tool that helps teams take customer comments, determine the underlying issues represented by those comments and use this information to develop measurable customer requirements. The goal of this tool is to translate often vague comments into something concrete so that the team can focus their efforts to meet these requirements.

MEASURE TEMPLATES

– Communication Plan

– Cost Of Poor Quality (COPQ)

Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) quantifies the negative outcomes (costs) due to waste, inefficiencies, and defects in a process.

Cost of Poor Quality is often represented in dollar amounts (or as a percentage of gross sales), and is composed of both internal and external failures. The goal of any organization is to reduce COPQ to zero.

– Data Collection Plan

This is a well thought out approach to data collection that includes information around where to collect data, how to collect it, when to collect it and who is responsible. This plan is prepared for each measure and includes helpful details such as the operational definition of the measure as well as any sampling plans.

– Efficiency & Effectiveness Matrix

The Efficiency & Effectiveness Matrix is tool used to balance the types of measurement applied to a process. The goal is to monitor data that indicates the effectiveness of a given process or how well it meets customer expectations as well as the efficiency of a process by monitoring the amount of resources required, materials used and time spent producing goods and services.

This matrix facilitates the listing of all proposed measurement in order to uncover any imbalances in the Data Collection Plan. The goal is to pay attention to both kinds of measures in order to satisfy customer needs profitably.

– Impact Effort Matrix

The Impact Effort Matrix is a 2 x 2 grid that helps you assess solutions for their relative impact given the effort required. It provides a quick way to filter out solutions that might not be worth the effort. The best solutions are in the upper right quadrant, easy to implement but with substantial impact.

– Operational Definition

Operational Definitions describe the terms used within measures such as “accurate” or “complete” and if it’s a time-based measure, they include the stop and start points. These detailed description of each measurement are designed to ensure that each measurement is interpreted the same way by different people. They are key to insuring the integrity of any measurement system.

– Gemba Walk Interview Sheet

The Gemba Walk Interview Sheet is a simple data collection form, designed for transactional processes. It is used to ask pertinent questions during a Gemba Walk.

– RACI – Matrix

– Stakeholder Analysis

– Threats-Opportunities Matrix

ANALYSE TEMPLATES

– Fishbone Diagram

A Cause and Effect Diagram is structured brainstorming tool designed to assist an improvement team in listing potential causes of a specific effect. It is also known as an Ishikawa Diagram, for its creator, or a Fishbone Diagram, for its resemblance to the bones of a fish.
Causes are often grouped into major categories, which are classically defined as the 6 Ms: Man/Mind Power (people), Methods (processes), Machines (technology), Materials (raw materials, information, consumables), Measurements (inspection), and Milieu/Mother Nature (environment). An additional 2 Ms are also sometimes used: Management/Money Power and Maintenance.

– Root Cause Hypotesis

Root Cause Hypothesis is an educated guess as to the cause of a problem in a process. Root Cause Hypothesis is part of the Analyze Phase in DMAIC. In order to form Hypotheses regarding the causes of process issues, one must conduct Root Cause Analysis which involves questioning and investigating to move past symptoms to the the true root of the problem.

– Value Cycle Time Analysis

Automated model to calculate the Cycle Time.

Cycle Time is the measurement of the time elapsed from the beginning of a process or a step to its end. Reduction of cycle time focuses on bringing products and services to market faster in order to provide value to customers.

– Value Stream Map

A Value Stream Map visually maps the flow of steps, delay, and information required to deliver a product or service; this is called a “Current State” Map. Value Stream Mapping then analyzes the Current State Map in terms of 1) creating flow, 2) eliminating waste, and creates a more efficient Future State Map.

IMPROVE TEMPLATES

– Cross Training Matrix

Cross Training is training different employees to perform different tasks outside of their original role. For example, training Worker A to do Worker B’s job, and training Worker B to do Worker A’s job. Cross Training improves the flow of the process, enables the sharing of best practices and increases flexibility in managing the workforce.

– FMEA (Failure Modes & Effects Analysis)

It is a risk management tool that identifies and quantifies the influence of potential failures in a system.

– Weighted Criteria Matrix

A Weighted Criteria Matrix is a decision-making tool that evaluates potential options against a list of weighted factors. Common uses include deciding between optional solutions or choosing the most appropriate software application to purchase.

CONTROL TEMPLATES

– A3

A3 reports are simply a waste-free way for report writing and communication, but the basic building blocks of the A3 report provide a nice template for good thinking.

– Process Control Plan

The Control Plan is a guide to continued monitoring of the process, and the response plan for each of the measures being monitored.

– Monitoring Plan

A Monitoring Plan is a detailed data collection plan that supports the Control Plan. It lists the measure, the targets for each measure.

– New Procedure Audit

The New Procedure Audit provides an easy way to check for adaptation to the new way of doing things once a project is successfully completed.

– Response Plan

The response plan for a process establishes, for each measure being monitored, a threshold or trigger level for that process measure. When a process performance hits a trigger level, the response plan details what immediate and long-term actions must be taken to return to and maintain the desired performance.