Identification of Effective Problem-Solving Tools to Support Continuous Process Improvement Teams

Abstract

Continuous process improvement (CPI) teams function differently than other project teams. Therefore, engineers who are called on to support CPI teams may need to utilize different tool sets if they are to be effective in improving manufacturing operations. This article explores the differences between CPI teams and traditional project teams. It also reports on the initial identification of problem-solving tools that meet the needs of CPI teams, and reports preliminary findings on their usefulness and applicability. Data from our 2-year study of 16 CPI teams working in light manufacturing, logistics, and automotive assembly show that tool selection is influenced by team life span, data availability, and team member skill level. This study also found that the primary factors influencing tool effectiveness are team member training and the time required for data analysis.