As a Process Quality Engineer, I’m tasked with improving quality and process efficiency in a services environment where I have minimal expertise. In addition to working with SME’s, I also incorporate granular level analysis with the systems thinking approach to solve some of our industry problems. Tools like 8D (discipline) which is built on the Deming/Shewhart Cycle (PDAC) provide structure for identifying and brainstorming system processes at a high level, allowing one to understand the interactions between interrelated sub-processes. For example, like a project manager creating a work breakdown structure into work packages, if a process is inefficient, I can’t just examine the resource performing the task, I also need to consider the tooling, and even the tasks before and after, to have a full understanding of where the true problem lies. Success requires adopting best practices from 5 Why’s, Process Flow, Fishbone, RCA Apollo, 5S in Lean Six Sigma, and FMEA methodologies. It’s not always relevant to utilize every option and each problem requires a different approach. The key takeaway is solving complex problems require multiple perspectives, when stuck on a challenge that deep dives not moving towards a solution, taking a step back and looking at the complete picture from a Systems Thinking approach, may produce alternative outcomes.

Works Cited

Aronson, D. (1196). Overview of Systems Thinking. Retrieved from Thinking.Net: http://www.thinking.net/Systems_Thinking/OverviewSTarticle.pdf

Kelvy Bird. (2012, 10 13). Systens Thinking in Action 2010. Retrieved from Kelvy Bird: http://www.kelvybird.com/systems-thinking-in-action-2010/