This or That? Activity

Common Cause Variation Poor training Unclear SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) Poor work conditions (e.g. lighting or ventilation) Improper workstation design Phenomena constantly active within the system Variation predictable probabilistically The outcomes of a perfectly balanced roulette wheel are a good example of common-cause variation. Common-cause variation is the noise within the system Special Cause Variation Operator falls asleep Power Surges Broken tool Traffic due to snow New, unanticipated, emergent or previously neglected phenomena within the system; Variation inherently unpredictable, even probabilistically; Special-cause variation always arrives as a surprise. It is the signal within a system. Common Cause or Special Cause?

Job Enrichment An operator is asked to participate in a quality circle to provide expertise Increasing the worker’s responsibilities and authority in work to be done. Job Enlargement Added responsibilities of a insurance agent to make copies for the office each day Expands the variety of tasks performed by an employee Enrichment or Enlargement?

Strategic Planning Considerations: Develop the long-range strategies of the organization. External customers’ needs and expectations Competitors’ capabilities Business systems needed Regulatory requirements Risks that must be taken into account Organization’s basic goals and objectives Operational Planning Considerations: Develop day-to-day operating procedures that ensures the quality of individual products and services Resources needed to develop and create the product/service Materials and supplies required for creating the product/service Knowledge and skills required of employees Documentation (specifications, standards, etc.) required Process improvement methods to continuously improve the deliverables Strategic Planning or Operational Planning?