20 Years of Lean and Six Sigma Conferences

As ASQ readies for the 20th Lean and Six Sigma Conference (March 1-4, virtual), ASQTV looks back at some of the tips experts have offered to you. 

Click the links below, mentioned in this episode:

Lean and Six Sigma Conference Program 

Interview with Bill Hooper

Interview with Lisa Custer

Lean and Six Sigma Channel

2021 Annual Meeting of Members

Thank you for joining us. We are excited to share highlights of ASQ’s work in service to you and the quality profession. Additionally, this is an opportunity to provide transparency on how ASQ conducts business, understand how decisions are made, and how your voice is reflected in the Society.

ASQ Board of Directors Chair, Janet Raddatz, and other ASQ leaders will review the past year and give you insights on what to expect in the year ahead. While the meeting is virtual, you will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions in real time through the site chat feature.

75th Anniversary Montage

During the World Conference on Quality & Improvement, attendees took a look at ASQ's history, the current state of the Society, AND a look into the future. Here's your opportunity to view this inspiring and informative video.

Access the Women in Quality Symposium

An introduction to complex service delivery processes - The airport experience

The objective of this presentation is to provide a first broad overview of the nature of complex service delivery processes. I will use airports as illustration. While they typically include some of the simplest service jobs (such as bookstore clerk, parking attendants, and porters) they also include some of the most complex (pilot, air controller, scheduler).

Analyse

Primum non nocere: problem finding before problem solving. Share it with all concerned before you even discuss solutions.

Apply to Become an Authorized ASQConnEx Trainer

ASQConnEx offers trainers opportunities to assist companies searching for solutions to quality issues. Apply today!

Aspects of Quality of Service

Podcast 2 of 10

ASQ App

Receive timely information and news about membership, communities, learning, certification prep, standards, publications, and more!

ASQ Gated Post

ASQ test content only.

ASQ Learning: Advance Your Career

ASQ offers training courses for quality professionals of all experience and skill levels.

ASQ Membership: Excellence Through Quality

ASQ offers you a wide range of opportunities for your excellence through quality journey. Find out why you need an ASQ membership

ASQE: Inspiring Excellence through Quality Benchmarking

In celebration of the first anniversary of ASQExcellence, the Organizational Membership team will present on the strategy, development, and resulting research of the 2020 efforts to establish our new trade association and the 2020 Insights on Excellence (IoE) benchmarking data set foundation. The main focus of this presentation is to illustrate how this shapes the new benefits of the Organizational Membership Model (coming in 2021), and the 2020 IoE Category Results research. This research is exclusive to ASQE, highlighting the opportunity for annual, longitudinal research studies to explore emerging trends and changes within the quality industry. For ASQE and ASQ members, this research will assist in further the quality professionals and companies focused on organizational excellence best practices, and how to compare themselves against other industries and geographic regions.

Business process outsourcing (BPO) – The evolving challenges and opportunities: Part 1 - Exploring the process space

Trends in outsourcing are anything but linear. The political, economic, social, environmental, and infra-structural landscape of developing countries is changing very fast. The pace of change in technological capabilities does not show any sign of slowing down either. Thus, the decision making process for outsourcing and offshoring business and knowledge processes must be reviewed regularly: what made sense five years make not make sense anymore today. This video takes a fresh look at the question and, based on a review of recent research, proposes conceptual models that can guide and support enlightened decision.

Outsourcing a process that you do not understand is abdicating. Outsourcing without strong process management capabilities is risky business. Enterprise architecture maturity is a critical determinant of this capability. The process space is presented here along two important axes: knowledge embedded in the process and extent of customer contact involved.

Business process outsourcing (BPO) – The evolving challenges and opportunities: Part 2 - Understanding the sourcing space

How far is it desirable to place each process? Distance here refer to ownership distance, physical distance, and cultural distance. Different risks grow with distance. While cost reductions may be immediately visible on the bottom line, risk is not, especially long term risk, such as loss of strategic nimbleness. We present here a global picture of these complex issues.

Certification Prep

If you’re readying for a quality certification, thinking about certification or wondering why we’re talking about certifications, watch this episode of ASQTV.

Certification Prep materials:

Videos, Courses, Books, Webcasts

Complexity

Podcast 1 of 10

Control

That's the toughest part: woe befalls the organization that cannot stay the course.

Cost of Quality

In this episode, ASQ TV defines and explains cost of quality, identifies its link with pricing and shows "unquality" at its finest.

ASQ Knowledge Center: Cost of Quality 

"How Better Quality Affects Pricing" 

DCDV - characterize & design: a technical note

This is a technical note explaining the inner workings of the QFD matrices (characterize phase), the concept generation technique, and the Pugh design matrix (design phase).

Designing a Process

Podcast 7 of 10

Digital Transformation Now and Later

A very brief history of the term digital transformation and then into necessary resources to assist you and your organization along any point in the journey.

Mentioned in this episode:
Learn About Quality—Quality 4.0 https://asq.org/quality-resources/quality-4-0
Quality 4.0 Summit: Advances, Adoption, and Advocacy https://asq.org/conferences/quality-4-0

Enterprise Risk Management at LEGO

A look into how LEGO successfully mitigates risk.

Family of Quality Management Standards and New Compliance Standard

This episode will help you learn—or teach—some of the specifics within the quality management standards family. The episode concludes with mention of a new 2021 compliance standard.

Mentioned in this episode:

ASQTV Quality Standards Channel

Interview with Ben Marguglio

First Women in Quality Symposium

ASQ is proud to have hosted the 2020 Women in Quality Symposium, December 9.

Nancy Nouaimeh, Chair, Geographic Community Council
Eileen Serrano, Deputy Regional Director, South Atlantic Region
Wanda Sturm, Chair, Technical Community Council
Janet Raddatz, Chair, ASQ Board of Directors
Dani Picciotti, Chair, ASQE
Ann Jordan, CEO, ASQ
Pat LaLonde, ASQ Past Chair (2016)

FMEA and Sensitivity Analysis

Eugene Bukowski, Senior Engineering Manager, GE Healthcare, describes sensitivity analysis, a new approach to determining and prioritizing failure modes. Bukowski also names some of the common failure modes and discusses risk priority number.

High level overview of the DCDV process design methodology: Part 1 - A simple example - Watching a movie

This is a conceptual lesson. Processes are designed from the market in, or from the customer to the process. From the customer corridor, the critical to satisfaction factors are defined, metrics are generated, the voice of the customer is specified, process concepts are generated, evaluated and improved. The video illustrates this general outside-in pattern using different examples. The techniques required to use the methodology are presented in detail in this chapter, and discussed in the next video.

High level overview of the DCDV process design methodology: Part 2 - A very complex example - Saving a life

This is not as complex as it gets, but getting close. Connected isolated processes, each characterized with irreducible uncertainty, eventually produced an effective value stream.

How to use the book and website

A few suggestions by the author about the best way to use the video and the book, depending on where you are coming from, and what your goals and priorities are.

Improve

Now you can fix it.

Intelligent Automation for Quality Professionals

Introduction - Value and the customer experience

Quality in complex services (CS) involves leadership – this is not the fast food business. Understanding who the customer is and what he does is even more important in CS: He is co-producing the outcome. Whoever produces a customer experience lives an experience herself: only positive experiences on both sides of the encounter are sustainable.

Making Cost of Quality Work for You (and Your Executives)

Doug Wood, president, DC Wood Consulting, explains how cost of quality initiatives become successful and how to get leadership on board. The Six Sigma Forum offers a cost of quality calculator for ASQ members.

Mentioned in this episode:

Principles of the Quality of Cost

Executive Guide to Applying Cost of Quality

SSF Cost of Quality Calculator

Measure

If you can't measure it, you do not know anything about it.

Measuring and learning

“If you can’t measure it, you don’t know anything about it” used to say W. Edward Deming. “If it matters, it has to be observable and detectable. If it is detectable, it can be detected as an amount or range of amounts” adds D.W. Hubbard. Let’s not find what is easily measured, let’s explore in depth the phenomenon of interest (e.g. assurance, empathy, satisfaction) and find a way to measure it.

Milwaukee's Mayor Proclaims May 24 ASQ Day

Tom Barrett, Mayor, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, proclaims May 24, 2021, ASQ Day during the opening session of the 2021 World Conference on Quality & Improvement.

Operational excellence is personal

Excellence is personal. Thus, it means different things to different people. Whatever it means to you, you are more likely to reach your goals with a systems view, rigor, and a process approach. It works just as well for “soft processes” and “hard processes”. Since the hard stuff is the soft stuff, this is good news. Because of the nature of the topics, parts of this session is “up close and personal”.

Operational Risks

Podcast 4 of 10

Overview of the DMAIC methodology

This five part series presents the generic DMAIC process improvement methodology. Part 1 provides some perspective and gives an overview of the methodology (the “Define phase is covered in other videos). Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5, cover “M”, “A”, “I”, and “C “, respectively.

Performance Excellence Models and Leadership

Paul Grizzell, co-author, Insights in Performance Excellence, discusses
why performance excellence models don’t take hold and what leaders need to do to guarantee a
successful initiative launch.

In this episode:
Paul Grizzell’s full Interview

Performance Excellence Models, Stakeholders, and a Valuable Resource

Paul Grizzell, co-author, Insights in Performance Excellence, discusses performance excellence model challenges, the five stakeholder groups, and additions to the Insights to Performance Excellence book.

Processes

Podcast 5 of 10

Processes and projects

The project notion has a good “branding”, as it evokes new and unique ventures. The project notion is all too often associated to routine, repetition, bureaucracy, and control. The two notions are presented by some as clearly distinct. This video debunks some of these notions and presents a reality that is best described in shades of gray than in black in white.

Processes and Projects

Podcast 9 of 10

Rating Suppliers to Your Company’s Triple Bottom Line

The recent pandemic made the concept of the triple bottom line resonate
with quality professionals and leaders more than ever. In this episode, ASQTV explores the
significance of the triple bottom line and a tool to evaluate suppliers based on your
organization’s strategies.

Readying Yourself for Digital Transformation Initiatives

Richard Uphoff, Manager & Registered Principal Responsible (RPR), Vanguard, discusses skills needed for digital transformation, lessons learned from 25 years of challenging initiatives, and the need to learn how to learn.

REASONS TO CREATE QUALITY COMMUNITIES

Richard Uphoff, Manager & Registered Principal Responsible (RPR), Vanguard, and ASQ member leader, discusses the need for communities to share, network, and improve.

Reasons to Create Quality Communities

Richard Uphoff, Manager & Registered Principal Responsible (RPR), Vanguard, and ASQ member leader, discusses the need for communities to share, network, and improve.

Remote Auditing

Recent health guidelines have caused companies and independent auditors to view an online audit as a viable alternative to the on-site audit. Lance Coleman, ASQ Instructor, and Principal Consultant, Full Moon Consulting, details the benefits of online audits, how to get top management buy in and how to conduct an online audit.

Rigor

Podcast 10 of 10

Risk Management and FMEA

Hear from Denise Robitaille, U.S. Technical Advisory Group to Technical Committee 176, on why the ISO 9001:2015 revision moved away from preventive action toward risk-based thinking, and learn how traditional preventive actions tools can satisfy the new requirements.

Scoping process improvement project in complex services

This video is a practical and technical extension of the airport video, introducing basic process notions. It takes shows how these notions can be applied in the more abstract business world of information-based intangible processes. The input here is not a person or a piece of luggage, but a request for proposal, and the output is a legally binding proposal. The scoping phase is critical to the success of any process improvement or process design project. The case of a software developer is used to illustrate the methodology.

So you have a good strategy, but you have not won just yet

This 7 minute video provides was prepared for the 30th anniversary celebration of the executive MBA program. It provides a quick overview of the importance and challenges of rigorous execution.

Social and human dynamics

There is a fundamental flaw in the chess metaphor to represent strategy: in real life, the parts only move when they want to, and when they do, it is not always in the direction you had hoped. Different process problems and opportunities present different challenges, and therefore require adapted change “vehicles”. A change event needs to be tightly choreographed and managed. Only thus can it create the required sequence of moments of truth to generate genuine and durable transformation. These events must be part of an adapted change strategy.

Successful Cost of Quality Initiatives

Doug Wood, President, DC Wood Consulting, explains how cost of quality initiatives become successful and how to get leadership on board.

Successful Cost of Quality Initiatives--August 2021

This is the unlisted version for Doug Wood.

Supply chain - complex service version

Consider the following service episode: a person suffering from knee pain consults a physiotherapist at a nearby clinic. Dissatisfied with results after several sessions, he decides to seek the counsel of a general practitioner at a medical clinic, who injects cortisone to no avail. The general practitioner therefore refers him to an orthopaedist at a local hospital. The orthopaedist requests situation-specific images produced under the direction of a radiologist at another clinic. At the time of the next visit with the orthopaedist, the person and the physician agree to surgery which is later performed at a specialized hospital by a resident under the supervision of another orthopaedist. Physiotherapy treatments are subsequently prescribed and performed at the hospital. Home exercises are also prescribed but never carried out. After a certain time, still dissatisfied with results, the patient is treated successively by a chiropractor, physiatrist, physiotherapy technician (as opposed to professional) and acupuncturist before concluding that the situation is unlikely to improve and giving up. The above sequence includes eight different processes ranging from physiotherapy at a local clinic to examination by a general practitioner and subsequent action. The sequence of services is shaped by a combination of patient decisions, professional advice received, intra- and inter-organizational connections, and rules governing the transfer from one professional to another. Another patient with the exact same symptoms may well follow a totally different sequence and obtain radically different results. The “supply chain” is quite a different notion in complex services.

Sustainability Supplier Rating Tool

Lisa Walters, associate professor, Fredonia State University of New York, discusses
the new triple bottom line supplier evaluation tool developed with Jillian Kessler. Walters talks about
defining the triple bottom line and determining the best approach to identifying the suppliers that will help
your organization’s sustainability journey.

To discuss ideas to modify this tool for your industry contact Lisa Walters.

Read the Walters and Kessler article:

https://asq.org/quality-progress/articles/a-sustainable-supply-chain?id=cd4c82ebda954415ba51f1cde4efc8a9

Sustainable competitive advantage through faster learning

Fast and effective learning cycles require a solid connection to strategy, shared methodologies and tools, and an ability to mobilize people behind focussed improvement efforts. Beware of management fads. Isolate and evaluate the new elements carefully, and make an enlightened decision about whether or not it fits your culture and can be a valuable addition to your learning strategy. Many organizations make it to « good enough ». Few organizations cross the chasm from good to great. While the specific recipe required to do so may be debatable, rigor is definitely a part of it. From business model to customer focus, from process management to team empowerment, from systems thinking to analysis of variation, no sustainable learning, i.e. no sustainable strategic advantage is possible without it.

Terry Jones, Founding CEO, Travelocity: Voice of the Customer Leads to Quality and Revenue

Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity, discusses the importance of voice of customer in building quality into the service.

The Background and Importance of the E5 Standard

The Benefits of Certification

Jim Rooney, ASQ past chair and certification expert, explains:

• the value of achieving certification.
• how a certification differs from a certificate.
• how to choose which one is right for you.

Rooney also offers tips for studying and passing a certification exam. For more information about ASQ certifications, visit http://asq.org/certification .

The Lean & Six Sigma Conference - Tour the Conference Site

The nature of technology

All too often, an endeavour intent on process change ends up in technology implementation. Process improvement is about the brainware that should guide the choice, adaptation, and implementation of hardware, software, and the required support network. Technological capabilities and constraint are important factors to consider in process improvement and process design.

The power of complex services: foster, use, and abuse: Part 1 - Balancing creativity, judgment, and discipline

The contrast between two transportation accidents (Southern Pacific 7551 and US Airways 1549) provide the background required to understand what a quality culture means in complex services. Rigorous training and enforcement of well thought-out and shared rules combines with freedom to act to produce the best outcome when experts are faced with unforeseen circumstances. On the other hand, a « good enough » quality culture slowly takes hold as sloppy work without immediate consequence is tolerated. The silo mindset hides the potentially devastating systemic effect of these defects.

The power of complex services: foster, use, and abuse: Part 2 - On diagnosis, leadership, operational focus, and the power of a good metric

Examples discussed here include the doctor’s office, the surgical block, Shouldice hospitals, the Apgar score to measure to immediately measure the health of newborn baby, and the social emergency team intervening when children are at risk. “First do no harm” is an oath that all complex service provider should make their own. Largely determined by history, inertia, and drift, our operating units often mix together incompatible activities, and are thus unmanageable. Deconstructing these jumbled flows and rebuilding focused units makes management (appropriate balance between autonomy and control) possible. Quick response to emerging needs, by a multifunctional « commando » unit can trigger a paradigm changing breakthrough.

The power of complex services: foster, use, and abuse: Part 3 - Some ingredients in the recipe for the memorable customer experience

Without a profound shared understanding of the nature of value in our business and of the different demands it makes on our experts, our processes and performance will evolve randomly, as a result of actions made on the spur of the moment by a host of uncoordinated experts. CEO should stands for Chief Emotions Owner – meaning the emotions of the customer, and those of the employee. Nevertheless, as client, we must always assume the primary responsibility for results, that is, we are managing our way through the information flows and branching points of the service maze.

The process view

The notion of a process is fundamental to the systemic view or organizations as value creating entities and the understanding of value streams flowing through the various departments and units. This video drives home the notion, bringing it to a personal level.

The Quality Professional's Changing Workplace

This episode investigates how the global pandemic and digital transformation are changing the quality professional’s workplace.

Toward operational excellence

Beware of managements consultant bearing brand new business cards with catchy and intriguing new schemes. In other words, beware of management fads, but don’t throw away the baby with the bath water either. Plot an adapted path towards operational excellence. There are several good reference model out there: select the one that best fit your reality and needs. Give it your brand name. Eclecticism is best.

Understanding and managing processes

This is a conceptual video. It explains and illustrates the systems view of processes, value creation, process control, and the all-important learning loops using a few simple examples. Consider driving a car as a system. The driver gets feedback from the internal and external components. He processes this information and decides to make adjustments such as breaking, accelerating, deactivating the cruise control, turning up the air conditioner, and switching gears. The feedback he gets may lag the actual event that he is now noticing (the following car is really close) and it may take a while for the corrective action to take place (such as a decision time – i.e. change lane - and the time required to make it happen). He may also getting leading information of a traffic jam 5 kilometers down the highway and take appropriate steps to adjust for it by anticipation.

These notions, as well as the voice of the customer and learning loops are also presented using climate control in a house (see Section 6.2 and Figure 6.5). The video then shows how these notions can be transferred to a business context using the example of a pharmacy, previously presented in Figure 3.9 and Box 6.2. This last example allows for some further discussion of the linkages, presented in Chapter 5, between strategy and processes.

Understanding processes, focus and scope

The organization’s knowledge is imbedded in processes: shared ways of adding value, that translate into a chain of commitments distributed logically in the organization. The only sustainable source of strategic advantage is the ability to learn (i.e. augment knowledge) faster than your competitors : understanding variation, thinking statistically, and managing processes are central to this endeavor. Any strategic move that you decide to make will only generate strategic advantage if you can translate it into the right change to the right processes, and execute quickly and flawlessly.

V2P model - a technical note

This explains how to use two templates to correlate positioning in the market, positioning in the labor market, shareholder value, operations strategy, value propositions, service concept, job concepts, service standards, value adding processes, enabling processes and support processes, into a high level business model. It is technical in the sense that gives detailed instructions about how to use these specific templates.

Value

Podcast 3 of 10

Value and dual positioning

This is a conceptual video presenting an overview of the connection between value creation and positioning with the service concept and service delivery processes. It is a good introduction to the material covered in this chapter.

Value Process Connection

Podcast 6 of 10

Value Stream

Podcast 8 of 10

Women in Quality Community Builds Momentum Before 2nd Symposium

Christy Mazzarisi, Chair, ASQ Women in Quality Forum, discusses building a professional community today for a network for life.

Learn more about Women in Quality

Your Digital Transformation Journey

Therese Costich, author of Excelling at a Digital Transformation Journey, discusses the three components to a successful transformation and how to continue improving the process while experiencing disturbances.

LSSC Frank and Rachel discussion on 20th Anniversary

LSSC Retrospective

Meet our sponsors: ABBYY

ABBYY representatives share how to make the most of Data Mining and Visualization.

Meet our sponsors: San Diego State University Global Campus

Take a look at the history of Lean and Six Sigma as well as its significant impact to business today.

Tour the Conference Site

A New Perspective on Model Visualization

Speaker(s)

Cheryl Pammer, MS

Senior Advisory Statistician

Speaker Information

As the velocity, volume, and variety of data increase, many organizations find themselves drowning in data, yet starving for information. Six Sigma professionals have both the skills and the opportunity to bridge this information gap. As we add new analytical tools to our toolkit, we also need proven strategies to communicate results. In this session. I will use case studies based on my own experiences to demonstrate practical ways to pair advanced modeling techniques with modern visualizations so that we can communicate analytical results in more intuitive ways. Specifically, we will review how to apply machine learning techniques such as regression, logistic regression, decision trees, and clustering algorithms to mine observational process data. Then, we will use the model results to create unique visualizations that facilitate actionable insights. These visualization techniques, primarily based on model fitted values and predictions, will include binned scatterplots, parallel coordinates plots, dendrograms, bubble plots, 3D scatterplots, heat maps, and contour plots. We will discuss best practices related to visual art and design and then put these concepts into action by turning the results from statistical models into compelling visualizations that convey clear insights from the data and corresponding analytics. Finally, we will learn how to use visualizations to engage with executives, speak their language, and translate our data-driven insights into decisions and actions. • A review of machine learning techniques with specific applications of their value in mining observational process data. • Proven techniques for pairing advanced analytics with modern easy-to-understand visualizations.• Strategies for using model visualization to engage with executives and turn data-driven insights into decisions and actions. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey.

Can’t We All Just Get Along Here? - Team Dynamics

Speaker(s)

Dave Harry, MSc, PMP®, CSSBB, LBC, CSM® 

CEO

Process Whisperer® Consultants LLC

Speaker Information

Have you ever found yourself as a leader asking "Can’t We All Just Get Along Here?" Why do so many Lean and Six Sigma projects eventually stall or fail all together? Is it the tools or the soft skills"? It is because of the Team Dynamics. Lean is a known “Team Sport” and all team members need to get along. But what if your teams just don’t get along? What is the secret that team leaders and team members can use to recognize a dysfunctional team? If they recognize the team is dysfunctional, what can they do about it? Yelling “Can’t we all just get along here” is not enough. Recognizing dysfunctional is the first step. What is Tuckman’s model for group performance? The speaker will share how to recognize when groups or teams are not performing and share a case study with the participants and ask what they would do. What happens in the "Forming" Stage? What happens in the "Storming" Stage? What happens in the "Norming" Stage? What happens in the "Performing" Stage? Lastly, why is it so important to have an "Adjourning" Stage? Leaders need to recognize the natural stages of team development and when the team is not progressing rapidly to a high performing team, what actions can the leader take to prevent team failure and chaos. It is so very important to grasp the underlying causes of team non-performance and apply the correct countermeasures to achieve team performance. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Changing the Blame Game: Getting to the Root of Human Error

Speaker(s)

Peg Pennington

President

Moresteam.com

Speaker Information

Is Continuous Improvement a production system or management system in your organization? Many organizations offer training to define the vision for a Continuous Improvement culture, but don’t build the necessary infrastructure to feed and grow that vision. PMOs and Operational Excellence teams are not sufficient. Leaders have to create the expectation that each employee is responsible for uncovering problems and contributing to solving them. It has to be “safe” to look for operational vulnerabilities and talk about problems. Join this session for a discussion about how to analyze and categorize the types of human error in order to identify the deeper root causes.  Attendees will leave with a call to action to elevate Root Cause Analysis from a tool to a management system that nurtures a Lean culture of problem solving. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Peg Pennington

Continuous Improvement Culture the Arizona Way through the Arizona Management System

Speaker(s)

Travis Done

Senior Lean Coach

State of Arizona

Speaker Information

Sarah Pirzada, MPA

Deputy COO

State of Arizona

Speaker Information

We’ve all heard it before: Government should run like a business. We’ve all read the books and heard the lectures, but the question remains: how do you actually implement a business enterprise strategy in government? Answer: The Arizona Way. The Arizona Management System is a proven method of taking strategy and turning it into results. Through the consistent deployment of Lean management principles, practices, and cultural artifacts, AMS ensures that the important work Arizona citizens and customers depend on is carried out at the speed of business. This session will report out on the history of AMS, how it evolved into an enterprise system, and how it is used today. Attendants will understand the system from end-to-end: beginning with annual strategic planning, continuing into operational execution, and coming back to performance tracking that ensures critical targets are met. Most importantly, you will understand how to take all of these elements and turn them into an enterprise culture. If you have wondered how to build a culture of excellence, this session is for you. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Travis Done CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Sarah Pirzada

Continuous Improvement: Change in Complex Healthcare Systems

Speaker(s)

James Doyle, MPA

Program Director - Strategy & Planning

Truman Medical Centers

Speaker Information

How can organizations bring the Process-work (Six Sigma) and People-work (Psychology of Change) together? Structured Dialog is a way to integrate multiple perspectives found in complex systems. The end result of this organizational wide dialog relates to alignment; getting everyone on the same page creates the framework for continuous strategic improvement. The basic design of strategic structured dialog begins with a common lexicon around change methodologies. Next, structure the dialog around the change methodologies related to Process-Work and People-Work. Then, simply ask questions, listen to the answers from different perspectives, and search for alignment. This session presentation brings together Six Sigma and Psychology of Change theories into a real world example of dramatic change in an organization’s culture. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Continuous Lean: A 360 Degree Approach to Integrate Design, Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Speaker(s)

Russ Snyder, PE 

Director Engineering ICDG Manufacturing

Intel Corporation

Speaker Information

Krista Duke

Speaker Information

Continuous Lean is a concept that brings together Product Development teams with the High Volume Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams under Lean Principles. Systematically set up a team to evaluate each new thing coming to specifically look for optimizations that could be learned from messiness of previous generations. Continuous Lean deploys our knowledge to seek opportunities outside the traditional "factory box", and looks upstream at product concept and design as well as downstream to supply chain and customer. Applying Continuous Lean forces a look at the overall system and invites product design changes, supply chain changes and packaging changes for the benefit of the whole. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Russ Snyder CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Krista Duke

Data-Driven Insights with Monte Carlo Simulation

Speaker(s)

Charles Cox, MBA, Certified MBB

Principal

Firefly Consulting

Speaker Information

As large data analytics and visualization tools become more common place, Lean Six Sigma and Quality practitioners will gravitate towards them. These practitioners have an advantage in their thinking – they are curious, know how to postulate a hypothesis and understand Y=f(x). They have a solid problem they are trying to solve and have done the homework. Adding the means to capture the attention of their audience will not only amplify solutions, but also allow for new discoveries along the way. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Developing Continuous Improvement Culture in a Federal Government Environment

Speaker(s)

Marti Roper

Director of Performance Transformation

Trilogy Federal

Speaker Information

Torsten Timm, MBA, CSSBB, CGFM, PMP, CMC

Director

Trilogy Federal LLC

Speaker Information

This presentation will feature a unique, federal-government-specific examination of keys to developing enduring continuous improvement (CI) culture. Specifically, we will share some recent projects that implemented Lean principles within federal Veterans' organizations.. Opportunities to improve in the federal space are plentiful as CI culture is often not heavily prioritized, and it is up to talented leaders with the right vision to take advantage of CI opportunities and drive change. We will explore some of the Continuous Improvement-related challenges that occur frequently in federal organizations, including: lack of data and metrics, and measurable goals, a reactionary approach to management, CI getting overwhelmed by "just keeping our heads above water", an inflexible workforce, and lack of capability-building/training. This presentation will also communicate lessons learned and best practices that have made the biggest differences in overcoming these obstacles and achieving lasting impact..maceutical GMP Professional. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Marti Roper CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Torsten Timm

Digital Disruption! an Enabler for Virtual Gemba Walk of a Microbiology Laboratory

Speaker(s)

Katja Lehmann, PhD, SSBB, LMBB

Global Manager Solutions Discovery and Workflow Optimization

BD

Speaker Information

In the clinical laboratory, consolidation, shrinking budgets, a dwindling workforce and increased workload threaten long-term stability and ability to provide high quality, accessible services. Healthcare consulting can help achieve laboratories goals by reviewing current processes and recommending Lean workflow solutions to meet the individual laboratories unique needs and challenges. Due to the COVID-19 pandemics travel and access restriction, new and innovative technologies were explored to collect laboratory insights, standardized data analysis and interaction with customers. A 3D camera was used to generate a virtual Gemba walk, supporting data and workflow videos were collected. A virtual workflow analysis was performed, a discrete simulation software used to simulate the laboratory’s workflow and the statistical analysis of the data. The results of the data analysis resides in a data lake, enabling the team to segment and benchmark customers KPI performances against each other. The virtual Gemba leads to a stronger collaboration with the customer fostering team work to uncover wastes, brainstorm root cause and countermeasures and develop improvement recommendations. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Digital Transformation for Lean Six Sigma Training

Speaker(s)

Maria Alice Barbosa

Masters Degree Student

Speaker Information

Marcelo Fernandes, PhD, CSSBB

Founder and Owner

MF Operational Excellence

Speaker Information

The focus of this presentation is to share a road map for a "Digital Transformation for Lean Six Sigma Training". A clear sequence of steps to help organizations to break the paradigm that a Lean Six Sigma training must be an in-person experience. Any digital model has advantages like scalability and reduced cost, but the main reason to consider going digital on Lean Six Sigma is the quality of the learning experience itself. Belts can have a significantly better internalization process in a digital environment, specially if this experience contains elements of Problem Based Learning (PBL), Gamification and Blended Learning. This real case study presents a true digital transformation on a Lean Six Sigma Program that happened from Mar/20 to Jun/20, with initial resistance from stakeholders but now with full enthusiastic support from leadership and satisfaction rate above 9.5 (1 to 10 scale). CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Maria Alice Barbosa) https://tinyurl.com/y3yzcayn CLICK HERE to complete the survey for MarceloFernandes

Go to the Virtual Gemba! Leading and Facilitating Process Improvement Events in a Virtual World

Speaker(s)

Travis Lozier, MBA, MBB, PMP, CSM, CBPP

Chief Culture and Quality Officer

Jordan Johnson, Inc.

Speaker Information

Jan Johnson

President and CEO

Jordan Johnson, Inc.

Speaker Information

In 2020 COVID-19 disrupted everything. This disruption caused organizations and professionals to learn new skills as we quickly worked to adapt and adopt to working in a virtual world. Learning new ways to facilitate and lead process improvement teams in a virtual world was initially a challenge but we have learned some best practices for how to effectively and in some ways more efficiently help teams drive process improvements in a virtual world. This session will focus on learning more about these best practices and will better equip the audience for leading virtual process improvement projects. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Travis Lozier CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Jan Johnson

Implementing Changes that Stick - Sustain the Gain AND Continually Improve

Speaker(s)

Pam Vecellio, LSSBB, APICS

Partner

Continual Impact

Speaker Information

Chris Bujak, BS

Mech Engineering, Partner

Continual Impact LLC

Speaker Information

Not enough continuous quality improvement efforts achieve targeted goals; even fewer continually exceed goals year after year. In this session participates will understand why some improvements do not stick long, what they can adopt to improve their skills, and practice some of the critical steps needed for effective, long-term, and sticky implementation of improvements. The 5-steps go beyond sustaining gains and into effective implementation and on-going team engagement, process ownership, measurement, and coaching. The 5 steps:
1. Create a reliable and standardized process.
2. Effectively teach the new process.
3. Define and operationalize measures and targets to track performance.
4. Create a feedback process to continually resolve problems and incrementally improve.
5. Coach performance. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Pam Vecellio CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Chris Bujak

Improvement KATA in Software Development

Speaker(s)

Michael Crossen, CQE, CQA, CMQ/OE

Lean Enterprise Manager

Rockwell Automation

Speaker Information

Ravindra Mahangare, MS, SAFe SPC, RTE 

Release Train Engineer

Rockwell Automation

Speaker Information

Improvement KATA in Software Development People who work in engineering and technical disciplines tend to be problem solvers. However, without a proper discipline around solving problems we will get stuck in a never-ending loop of trial and error with little progress and little learning. At Rockwell Automation we have found that the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach makes available such a discipline and using the Toyota Kata method for improvement and coaching provides the right framework, structure and environment for developing these skills. This session will provide attendees an example of Software Development program using KATA approach on a daily basis to achieve results for the customers. It started with a book discussion on KATA approach for Agile Product Development and how the team initiated KATA boards, scheduled daily meetings for improvement, weekly coaching and established regular cadence for target conditions and challenges that fit the Lean-Agile environment. This session will be targeted for those working in product development who are considering alternate methods for improvement, but also anyone else interested in alternate applications of KATA approach. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Michael Crossen CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Ravindra Mahangare

Improving Patient Flow in Acute Care Hospitals

Speaker(s)

Anurag Pandey, M.A.Sc.

Founder and President

Lean Symbiosis Inc.

Speaker Information

One of the major criticisms of Lean Six Sigma efforts is that despite localized improvement "projects" in healthcare settings, the system metrics don't really move. This presentation will provide a practical way to connect Lean Six Sigma efforts to system transformation. The presentation will outline learning from past failures that led to the approach outlined in the presentation which finally led to success. The audience might be interested in this approach especially in the days of COVID-19, with increased focus on capacity in healthcare systems. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Kaizen Success and Cultural Change

Speaker(s)

Paola Torres, MPA 

Sr. Manager Performance Improvement

Healthfirst

Speaker Information

Visual controls are required for the effective management and distribution of work. Transactional processes that are automated and lack effective visual controls, create operational inefficiencies and backlogs that are often not visible to management. This presentation provides an overview of the application of key Six Sigma and Lean concepts to the optimization of digital or automated processes. Strategies to reengineer workflows using existing technology will be outlined. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Keys to Success in Quickly Building a COVID Dashboard at Stamford Health

Speaker(s)

Ritu Jain, MPH, LSSBB

Executive Director

Stamford Health

Speaker Information

Chad McLauglin

Manager of Analytics

Stamford Health

Speaker Information

Ami Dalal, MHA

Manager, Process Improvement

Stamford Health

Speaker Information

At the beginning of March, as the global pandemic was spreading like wildfire in one of the largest COVID hotspots in the US, it became apparent that we needed to quickly provide valuable data and insights to Stamford Health leaders and colleagues to manage and treat COVID patients. Our incredible Analytics & Innovation team worked with senior leaders, IS, and peers from across the organization to develop workflows and a comprehensive dashboard in record time. The dashboard not only included metrics about patients testing positive for COVID, but also metrics to track bed capacity, daily census, PPE, local growth rates, discharge metrics, demographic rates, oxygen usage, and employee health and screening. In addition, the dashboard included metrics for our National Guard task force that was deployed to help in the treatment and recovery of COVID patients. We were honored to receive a Military Commanders coin by the National Guard for this effort, making the dashboard award-winning (literally). Attendees will value learning from our experience as being a community hospital in the middle of a hot spot during the pandemic. Using Lean tools we were able to achieve greater speed in service to our patients/community (our customer). One of our customers were also the Joint Military Task Force as well as the State of CT Governor's Office, CT Hospital Association, and NHSN (National Healthcare Safety Network). CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Ritu Jain CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Chad McLauglin CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Ami Dalal

Lean Tools Equip Operations Leaders for Crisis Management

Speaker(s)

Brooke Holmes, MBA 

Operational Excellence Project Leader

Edward Jones

Speaker Information

Simple lean tools can make the difference between a business area successfully weathering a crisis or drowning in unexpected work volumes and risk. This presentation discusses how to use lean tools to effectively prepare for a crisis and to enable data driven decision making while in the middle of a crisis. See how this works in practice through a case study from a financial services firm as it navigated record work volumes triggered by stock market volatility amidst the global pandemic. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Learning to See the Hidden Problems in your Gemba

Speaker(s)

Sam Yankelevitch

CEO

Xpress Lingo Solutions

Speaker Information

Although many practitioners continue to refer to the gemba as the shop floor, today's gemba has outgrown the four walls and is much bigger often extending into supply chains. In today's gemba, communication, culture and distance can become contributing factors that directly impact our processes. This presentation will highlight how to "see" these hidden sources of waste, how to include them in your continuous improvement strategy and how to adapt countermeasures that can help prevent these "invisible" sources from impacting your results. Case studies will help illustrate the application in both local and global situations. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Maximizing Insight from Data Mining and Analysis through Traceability

Speaker(s)

Nathan Soderborg, PhD, CRE, CSSBB

Principal Scientist, Data Sciences

Exponent

Speaker Information

Most organizations today strive to run their operations on data-based decisions. As trends in data growth continue and publicity regarding “big data” expands, software tools for data mining and AI get a lot of attention. However, these tools are only useful if data contain the characteristic, location, and timing information needed to effectively solve an organization’s most pressing problems. This kind of traceability is an essential ingredient of data quality. By proactively working to improve traceability in their organization’s data systems and experimental plans, Lean and Six Sigma professionals can greatly increase their ability to efficiently identify and solve quality problems. This presentation explains the importance of traceability in the age of big data and covers practical approaches to improving traceability in manufacturing and transactional organizations. Examples across multiple industries illustrate how better traceability leads to more meaningful insights over a range of applications, e.g., manufacturing process control, sampling and test plans, reliability and warranty analysis, and machine learning cases for root cause analysis. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Pairing Visualization Strategy and Australian Wine

Speaker(s)

Lisa Custer

Principal

Firefly Consulting

Speaker Information

Big Data is everywhere. In an IBM study , 74% of respondents acknowledged their executives were developing an increasing appetite for data-driven insights. As quality practitioners, we’re naturally drawn to the analytical tools used to dig into Big Data sets. But what about the other side - what insights can be captured using visualization? Visualization has the power to take vast quantities of information and communicate them as timely insights. It can help us both ask and answer better questions. While most of us are familiar with the very basics of rendering data visually, they are often not applied well. Frequently, when relying on built-in templates for convenience, we miss opportunities to discover and illustrate surprising results. With a greater command of the interplay between those elements, and of their effects on human perception, users can become much more persuasive in presenting their ideas. Armed with a data set of reviews of Australian wines, attendees will be introduced to the fundamentals of visualization and learn how to structure insightful, communicative representations that drive relevant conversations. We will cover six of Jacques Bertin’s visual variables and touch on the principles of Gestalt while seeing them applied to real information. The session will explore the core areas of designing and telling efficient, factual stories while mentally roaming the Australian countryside. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Problem Solving - Integrating Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) with Systems Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA)

Speaker(s)

David Auda, ASQ CRE, CMQ/OE

Speaker Information

This presentation will introduce the concepts of Systems Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) and show by demonstration the robustness and comprehensiveness of the integration of these approaches. Examples of the application to complex systems will be reviewed to allow the attendee to apply the methodology within their particular domain. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Process Improvement in a Hospital Setting Utilizing Lean and Six Sigma within a DMAIC Format

Speaker(s)

Sharon Croteau, LSSMBB-c 

VISN 1 Improvement Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs

Speaker Information

Follow the journey of one hospital as it rejuvenates and sustains its System Redesign Program. From failing performance measures and a low Return on Investment to excelling in performance and improving the financial bottom line. The Lean and Six Sigma curricula are not sought after by many staff and have become a performance requirement for Department chairs at the facility. From Leadership's role to learning the voice of the customer, this healthcare facility has grown through all the challenges thrown at it for the past year, including the Corona Virus. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Root Cause Analysis in a Data Desert

Speaker(s)

Jennifer Munson, BS

Executive Administration; Masters Business Administration – Continuous Improvement Manager

Speaker Information

Often we are challenged with Kaizens that have little to no quantifiable data. So what do we do? We don't throw in the towel, we figure out how to "capture" the best information we can in which to make the best decisions we can. Bigger challenge is figuring out how to capture the data and then knowing what to do with the data. Depending on what type of data you are looking for will determine the "Macgyvering" you will have to do to get your data, but the path you take next is pretty straightforward. Understanding a few basic steps on how to use the "non-quantifiable" data will save you some headaches and sleepless nights. Determining the improvements is also pretty important to Kaizen success, but most importantly how you sell the analysis, results and controls to your stakeholder will be what makes or breaks your Kaizen. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Supplier's Quality Management 4.0 - An Aerospace Industry Case

Speaker(s)

Enner S. Duarte

Supplier's Quality Engineer

Embraer 

Speaker Information

Valério Lucindo Araujo

Embraer

Speaker Information

Daniela Benedini

Supplier's Quality Engineer

Embraer S.A.

Speaker Information

Breno De Almeida Sa

Software Engineer

Embraer

Speaker Information

The analytical part of Data Science (Operations Research / Management Science) has been around since WWII. These techniques were used for specialized problems, often needing specialized software tools, and were prohibitively expensive. Today, the computing power available to a quality professional makes these analytical tools more widely available. An example of this is Minitab incorporating neural networks and machine learning into their product. To the average Black Belt these analytical tools are unknown but can provide some valuable assistance as they interact with SME's, process workers, and performance improvement team members. This presentation will give a brief history of some of the Operations Research / Management Science techniques available. Secondly, the presentation will match these different tools to the various phases of DMAIC and provide some potential examples of their application. Finally, some of these techniques will be displayed as examples in MS Excel. In addition to the presentation slides, there will be a spreadsheet with some of these examples available to the attendees. A portion of this pJunqueira Benediniresentation was recently given as a webinar to a local ASQ section. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Enner Sampaio Duarte CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Valério Lucindo Araujo CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Daniela Junqueira Benedini CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Breno De Almeida Sa

Taking Decision Trees to the Next Level: Adding Uncertainty

Speaker(s)

Steve Kramer, Ph.D., MBB

Associate Professor of Decision Sciences

Nova Southeastern University

Speaker Information

We start with a brief review of decision trees: the formulation of the logic tree based on the problem. We then explain (review) the L to R analysis in computing EMV. We then show through an example how this approach is applied: the case study is based on a paper the author published previously on decision-making under conditions of complex demand and market risks in the context of a healthcare resource capacity decision for a large urban hospital. The case considered is time-sensitive in that a cardiac unit was considering expansion based on expected demand if deregulation occurred in cardiac services within that state. Decisions had to be made in the near term for capacity to be in place if deregulation happened at an unknown point in time. There are many factors at stake: demand for open-heart surgery, hospital market share, etc. Investing too soon will result in over-capacity, while delaying too long could mean that the hospital could not meet market demand. We show the model with and without the Monte Carlo-applied distributions to convey the difference in insights from the approaches. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Voice of the Customer and Lean Six Sigma Powerhouse

Speaker(s)

Tony Belilovskiy

Director

International Institute for Customer-Centered Leadership

Speaker Information

Rob Lawton, MA

Leadership Strategist

C3 Excellence, Inc

Speaker Information

Brad Hollingsworth, PE CSSBB MBB

Master Black Belt

Hollingsworth Consulting LLC

Speaker Information

Combining Voice of the Customer and Lean Six Sigma into one webinar is the most powerful accelerator for enhancing your organization forward, clearly defining and integrating VOC, Lean, DMAIC and Design for Six Sigma, and achieving a high-performance culture. Most executives and change leaders emphasize that customer experience and excellent service are top priorities and keys to success. This session is all about how to achieve those goals with speed and simplicity. The answers combine unconventional thinking with Lean Six Sigma to achieve outstanding results well beyond the norm. The magnitude of the challenge becomes clear when you ask any ten employees (a) what “service” means, (b) who “the customer” is, or (c) what customers’ top priorities are. How can we have evidence-based enterprise direction when we aren’t clear who to get the evidence from, what to ask, and what to do with what they tell us? We can fix this by using a new paradigm and pragmatic method for achieving unambiguous agreement on the answers to these essential questions. Your goals for understanding, measuring, and satisfying customers are suddenly simplified and magic happens. If you are impatient for transformative results and are an executive, change agent, product development manager, project leader, innovation leader, process improvement leader, or aspiring Lean Six Sigma practitioner, this jargon-free session is for you. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Rob Lawton CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Tony Belilovskiy CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Brad Hollingsworth

Voice of the Customer: Replacing the Weakest Link in LSS with your Pride and Joy

Speaker(s)

Tony Belilovskiy

Director

International Institute for Customer-Centered Leadership

Speaker Information

Leaders want to design, deliver and measure excellent customer experience, products and service. But ask any ten employees (a) what “service” means, (b) who “the customer” is, (c) what their top priorities are and (d) what repeatable method is used to get those answers. When consensus is illusive, so is success. Guidelines on how to get that Voice of the Customer (VOC) data and use it to improve and augment LSS change initiatives are elusive. Surveys, quality function deployment (QFD), the Kano model, ISO 9000, Six Sigma and others have been increasingly relied upon to capture the voice of the customer (VOC). NONE answer key questions with the simplicity every practitioner needs. The firm well-versed in both ISO and LSS that lost a $400 billion contract, referenced in this presentation, is what can go wrong. We contrast that with examples of how to do it right. This interactive session provides the method with humor and simplicity. It goes beyond hearing the “voice of the customer” to reading their minds, touching their hearts and implementing change in your continuous improvement efforts. Results illustrate best-in-class performance and satisfaction you can achieve, too. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Tony Belilovskiy

Good to Go: Using Process Modeling for Rapid Innovation

Speaker(s)

Lars Maaseidvaag, PhD

Speaker Information

How do you “pivot” with confidence? Risk has skyrocketed. Time is more critical than ever. There is little or no opportunity to run multiple iterations of pilots when you need to implement a new process. Process modeling using discrete event simulation can help you move forward with confidence. The future will continue to be unclear, but modeling can prepare you for all kinds of scenarios. By building virtual prototypes, project team members can explore innovative options which can be evaluated quickly and inexpensively.  Waste, bottlenecks, and other inefficiencies can be identified in the design phase, rather than finding problems after implementation.  Process parameters can be stress-tested and fine tuned before committing further resources and before ever reaching a customer.
See how it works. Join us to learn how a leading children's hospital and a major airline used process modeling to design safe processes to meet the operational challenges of COVID-19 and beyond.

Educational Resources

• Measuring Process and Organizational Performance (SP, OMPOPJPR and VILT, VMPOP)
• Process Capability (PCTQG)

I’m not Emotional…I’m a Quality Professional: Lean Emotional Intelligence for Leaders and Practitioners

Speaker(s)

Richard F. Uphoff 

Operations Manager and Registered Principal

The Vanguard Group

Speaker Information

While the Global Pandemic of 2019-2020 created unprecedented upheaval in economies, health systems, employment, workplace arrangements, technology and social relations, it reminded us that we all operate under the same human range of emotions. From fear to hope, relief to stress, joy to sadness, the opportunities for us to experience this range of emotions has merged even more as "work" and "life" have become closer than ever before. Quality professionals in general and leaders in particular must understand this shifting emotional landscape and how it can affect their teams, projects and organizations. The first step down this path of understanding is to examine one's own emotional landscape. Even though the concepts of Emotional Intelligence have been around for 25 years, the current global crisis has shed new light on the need to understand these ideas in new ways and how they impact the work of Quality in Lean organizations.

Educational Resources

• Team Leadership
• The Manager Coach
• Leadership with Emotional Intelligence

ASQE Food for Thought Presentation

For more information and to view the IoE Annual Report CLICK HERE.

New Look, Same Data

Speaker(s)

Shrey J. Tarpara 

Associate

Boulevard Consulting Group

Speaker Information

Kashni Sharma, PMP 

Associate

The Boulevard Consulting Group, LLC

Speaker Information

In an era of 280-character Twitter posts from hundreds of news outlets to 15-second viral TikTok videos from celebrities, it is difficult not to drown in an information overload. It is essential to find a way to read past the initial headline and delve deeper into the data to ensure what you are reading is accurate so you can make an informed decision and opinion. Let us show you how to build upon current tools and techniques and apply innovative methods that will produce meaningful and sustainable results at any level of your organization and you, as an individual. We apply Lean Six Sigma and Agile practices to analytical methods to ensure rigorous data analysis and decision making.

Educational Resources

• Data Analysis (DAASQ)
• Introduction to Statistical Concepts (ISCASQ)
• Correlation and Regression (CRASQ)
• Variation and Control Charts (VCCASQ)
• Process Capability (PCTQG)
• Hypothesis Testing (HTASQ)

Lean is not Magic, or is it?

Speaker(s)

Wendy Gomez 

Principal

The Best Practices Group

Speaker Information

Kam Gupta, MSEM, CPEC

Executive Coach. management Consultant. QMS Auditor.

Continuous Improvement Technology, Inc.

Speaker Information

This presentation seeks to approach Lean from a different perspective. While the methodologies of Lean have been around for quite sometime within the realm of manufacturing, they have also evolved into healthcare, retail, logistics and distribution, services, government, and construction. Some detractors have even said that Lean is flawed and will fall by the wayside. The current pandemic, while unique, has for some strengthened this opinion. This presentation will examine the path of Lean in parallel with the artform of performance magic. While at first thought the subjects may appear disconnected, there are striking similarities, such as continuous improvement and error reduction. There are lessons to be learned for leaders to engage and re-energize Lean practices within their organization. As well as a call to action for what shape the future of Lean should take.

Educational Resources

• Introduction to Lean Principles (ILPASQ)
• Lean Foundations bundle (VILT, VLFASQ)
• Lean 101 (VILT, VL1012019ASQ)
• Lean Problem-Solving Tools (VILT, VLPST2019ASQ)
• Applied Lean (VILT, VALASQ)
• Lean Essentials (SP, LEASQ)
• Lean Specialized Credential Elearning (SPSCL2020ASQ)
• Lean for Service (VILT, VLFS)

A New Problem Solving Strategy for Quality 4.0

Speaker(s)

Carlos Escobar, PhD

Senior Researcher

General Motors

Speaker Information

Daniela Macias, MSc

Manufacturing Engineering

Tecnologico de Monterrey

Speaker Information

Manufacturing companies can competitively position themselves amongst the most advanced and influential companies by successfully implementing Quality 4.0 practices. The hype surrounding big data and artificial intelligence have influenced many quality leaders to act on implementing a Quality 4.0 initiative. However, according to recent surveys, most of them do not have a clear vision about how to create value out of these disruptive technologies. This situation is reflected on the success rate, since 80-87% of the data science projects never develop a sustainable solution. In this presentation, Process Monitoring for Quality–a Quality 4.0 initiative–is reviewed. To cope with its implementation challenges, a novel 7-step problem solving strategy that evolved from six sigma DMAIC is introduced. The proposed problem-solving strategy increases the likelihood of success of the Quality 4.0 initiative. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Carlos Escobar CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Daniela Macias

Achieving a Successful Six Sigma Implementation in Higher Education

Speaker(s)

Martha Ramírez-Valdivia, PhD

Associate Professor

Universidad de La Frontera

Speaker Information

The growing demand for accountability and continuous improvement in Higher Education has lead to the implementation of Six Sigma. Traditional focus on accreditation and quality assurance is being enhanced with the DMAIC approach to address continuous improvement projects. While it might appear simple to implement, the difficult part is how to make it a key component of a skeptical-by-nature culture, constituted mainly by faculty and students rooted to long-standing established quality practices. In this presentation, we will outline the stages followed to achieve an effective cultural change, including guidance, communication approaches, training, obstacles overcome, assessment, and problem-solving skills used to assist the implementation effort. After attending this session, you should be able to understand the steps of the DMAIC methodology, identify the major hurdles during implementation, and describe the main benefits of applying Six Sigma to Higher Education. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

AI: Vendor Contract Matrices Enabling Global Procurement

Speaker(s)

Daniel Zrymiak, ASQ Fellow, CSSBB, PMP

Engagement Manager

Ultranauts

Speaker Information

This presentation offers a good example of a Six Sigma project that applies multiple principles of Lean, in conjunction with artificial intelligence, to address how procurement transactions can be enhanced with contract details in order to achieve cost savings, predictability, and improved quality. This is an additional demonstration of the effective Six Sigma framework for problem diagnosis, identification, improvement, and resolution. The application of artificial intelligence is pertinent for the Quality 4.0 content, and offers relevant content that will interest attendees. It represents a progression from "analog" solutions, as it incorporates current applications and technical capabilities. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Combining Lean and Six Sigma with Project Management in the Healthcare Laboratory

Speaker(s)

Katie L. Castree, MHA, ASQ CSSBB

Operations Excellence Manager

Accumen

Speaker Information

As stated in one of the conference focus areas, supplementing Lean and Six Sigma with best practices in Project Management can multiply the benefits and results achieved by these principles and tools alone. In addition to utilizing good Project Management skills within an individual initiative, Project Management methodologies can also be applied to structure the overall continuous improvement efforts of an organization or department. Project Management concepts should be a key component of planning and conducting an assessment of opportunities, prioritizing initiatives, implementing changes, and monitoring sustainment of improvement. The session will begin with a brief overview of Project Management. Then through the unique lens of the healthcare laboratory as an example perspective, this session will review application in these areas and translate it to increasing value across a diverse and global audience of all industries. Three key tools that participants will be able to identify and apply are the Effort Vs. Impact Matrix for prioritizing initiatives; the Improvement Plan to establish tasks, sub-tasks, owners, and timelines; and the Control Plan to sustain project gains. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Customer Experience, Data & Digital Transformation

Speaker(s)

Sheila Shaffie

President & CEO

ProcessArc, Inc.

Speaker Information

TAI, Machine Learning, Data analytics has gained full momentum and technology is changing faster than ever. It is not always clear to organizations how to leverage their Lean Six Sigma or even Agile teams to initiate and support these large scale transformation initiatives. The objectives of this presentation are two fold: discuss some key industry trends as it relates to AI/Machine Learning/Data Analytics and take attendees through a company's journey as they embraced these emerging technologies to improve Client Experience. The objective of this presentation is to outline the critical interdependency of a Digital Transformation strategy and the Customer Experience (CX). CX is a key differentiator for most brands. And with shifting customer expectations, Digital Transformation and its enablers like Robotic Process Automation, AI, and Workflow allow for the re-imagination of a new experience. To develop a transformation strategy without the lens of CX will prove to be a costly and suboptimal endeavor. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Development and Lessons Learned: LSS/DFSS Enabled Organizational Metrics in US Army Laboratory

Speaker(s)

Colin Wasiloff, MBB, DFSSBB

CPI Deployment Director

US Army DEVCOM GVSC US

Speaker Information

Most executives, change leaders, and LSS practitioners emphasize that customer satisfaction and excellent service are top priorities and keys to success. Yet guidelines on how to get that Voice of the Customer (VOC) data and use it to improve and augment LSS change initiatives are elusive. This session is all about how to achieve those goals with speed and simplicity. The answers use unconventional thinking to achieve outstanding results. The magnitude of the challenge becomes clear when you ask any ten employees (a) what “service” means, (b) who “the customer” is, or (c) what customers’ top priorities are. Leaders are often surprised that consensus is elusive, meaning success will be, too. How can we have evidence-based enterprise direction when we aren’t clear who to get the evidence from or what to ask? We can fix this by using a new paradigm and pragmatic method for achieving unambiguous agreement on the answers to these essential questions. Your goals for understanding, measuring, and satisfying customers are suddenly simplified. Tools such as surveys, quality function deployment (QFD), the Kano model, ISO 9000, LSS, and others have attempted to capture the voice of the customer (VOC). While they have all made contributions, NONE answers key questions every practitioner must answer. This session provides those answers. You will be equipped to go beyond traditional approaches that rely on surveys, reactive problem-solving, and Industrial Age methods. Once we understand what customers want, it is often assumed delivery will be straightforward, customer experience advances, and competitiveness will improve. Rarely is that the case. Success is dependent on seamlessly aligning the customer priorities across the relevant functional silos within the enterprise. The methodology you will learn shows how to do this with speed and simplicity while building employee engagement. One example that illustrates what is possible: One organization learned and applied what its customers wanted most. It deployed the new knowledge across several functional groups, creating a common mission and method of execution. Results included jumping from a rank of 25th to 3rd of fifty competitors in performance and satisfaction in 18 months, simultaneously winning top Baldrige Award honors and saving $20 million. The tidal wave of customer kudos felt good, too. Many practitioners like you have gotten similar results. The advanced, easy-to-apply concepts you will use are particularly well suited to knowledge work. That’s because these principals were specifically developed for knowledge-intensive organizations, not manufacturing. But many industries now use it, confirming many users’ conclusion that any organization can become a model of customer-centered excellence. The methodology presented combines both rigor and simplicity for a repeatable method accessible to all practitioners, no matter what their role in the enterprise. Humor is used throughout, making an otherwise dry and technical topic fun, personally relevant, and memorable. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Getting all things Perfect the First Time – Methods to Improve "Things gone Wrong"

Speaker(s)

Chris Bujak, BS

Mech Engineering – Partner

Continual Impact LLC

Speaker Information

Pam Vecellio

Partner

Continual Impact, LLC

Speaker Information

High performing improvement organizations are fundamentally focused on affirmatively adding value to customers and eliminating waste in everything they do. One of the significant wastes in many organizations, either looking at it from a rolled yield or complete cost perspective is that of defects (not perfect 1st time complete and correct or simply “things gone wrong”). The Quality/Lean/Six Sigma practitioners often find themselves addressing this type of opportunity. Fortunately there are a number of powerful methods that can give better insight into the problem, generate better solutions (and even provide knowledge based potential solutions when faced with a particular problem) so that this waste and it's cost are significantly reduced. It is important for the practitioner to realize what the methods are, when to target their application, the method’s basic approach and the size of benefit that can be achieved. This presentation will explain and position several of the methods that help add value and reduce defects. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Chris Bujak CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Pam Vecellio

How to Compete with Low Quality and Counterfeit Products in the Post Pandemic Online Shopping Era

Speaker(s)

Russ Snyder, PE 

Director Engineering ICDG Manufacturing

Intel Corporation

Speaker Information

Mike Knapp

Speaker Information

Hemal Shah

Speaker Information

The timeliness of a Mega-trend shift to on-line shopping, forces us to address the substandard Quality segment that hasn't been managed by on-line retailers and threatens to tarnish Brand Names and financially damage US corporations. In this presentation Russ Snyder will focus on Lean and Quality strategies to stay cost effective to compete with the substandard Quality segment in Low Cost Geo markets and manufacturers who provide those products. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Russ Snyder CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Mike Knapp CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Hemal Shah

Integrating DMADV Methodology to develop a dashboard activities tracker for a QC Laboratory

Speaker(s)

Eira Baez-Ortiz, MMC

Master Manufacturing Competitiveness

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico

Speaker Information

This project focused on integrating structured strategic quality management techniques to improve operational results. DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify) is the selected methodology for the project development. Designing a tracking tool to increase visibility of testing processing at a QC Laboratory undergoing a growing & transfer process phase is the goal. A Dashboard display was selected as the future tracking tool format for the QC Lab activities. The benefits of the dashboard implementation showed the activities and workload from the QC Lab Operations, improved resources utilization in the terms of personnel, equipment and expanded communication between functional areas. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Lean and Six Sigma in New Business Models

Speaker(s)

Willy Vandenbrande, MEng, CSSBB

President

QS Consult

Speaker Information

There is an important focus on incorporating new digital methods into problem solving approaches. In the case of Six Sigma, a methodology that is by definition heavily data driven, there is a huge interest in the new possibilities of data analysis that become available. This is valuable work but we should never forget that quality tools are means to an end. That end is to create a sustainable business by having customers engage with you on the basis of a mutually beneficial value proposition. We see, apart from technological developments, also fundamental shifts in what customers find valuable and in the business models through which this value is offered to them. In this presentation we focus on these changes in the outside environment and their influence on quality and quality tools, specifically on Lean and Six Sigma. We will show how important this is to quality and to the quality professional. The way we respond to these changes goes beyond technology and will, to a large extend, determine how relevant our contribution will be to the success of our organizations. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

License to Improve: Introducing Lean and Problem Solving Via a Process Simulation Exercise

Speaker(s)

Emilie Steinhoff, PhD

Lean Consultant

Arizona Government Transformation Office

Speaker Information

“We don’t manufacture anything so Lean/Six Sigma/etc. won’t work here” is a common response to introducing continuous improvement systems in a knowledge work or transactional environment. Simulations to introduce continuous improvement principles don't always resonate with the audience or provide a clear link to other concepts and can be difficult to adapt to a virtual environment. This session walks through a simulation for an application approval process to introduce continuous improvement and problem solving concepts in a knowledge work environment and overcome those objections to achieve seemingly impossible goals. The simulation links metrics, visual management, process mapping, PDCA, the 8 wastes, and value vs. non-value added, to improving a realistic process. How to adapt the simulation to other fields and run in a remote/virtual or physical environment will also be covered. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Managing the Cost of Quality for Quality 4.0 Using Software, Systems, and Data Quality Models

Speaker(s)

Daniel Zrymiak, ASQ Fellow, CSSBB, PMP

Engagement Manager

Ultranauts

Speaker Information

A Cost of Quality (CoQ) approach, already customized for software and information technology, can be applied toward the deployment and implementation of Quality 4.0 in an organization. Existing models and quality characteristics used for software, systems, and data quality can be leveraged to identify cost categories and support the creation of a Cost of Quality System for Quality 4.0. The CoQ approach has already been applied and proven for software: the presentation will impart examples for external failure, internal failure, appraisal, and preventive costs pertinent to automated services, software, and information technology. Quality 4.0 incorporates innovations including additive manufacturing, mobile computing, digital manufacturing, cloud computing, and blockchain. Deploying Quality 4.0 follows methodologies for CoQ tracking through the phases of analysis, qualification, development, deployment, and maintenance. Quality characteristics were used to estimate potential costs and associated safeguards and countermeasures. By tracking and mitigating failures associated with software and data quality models, returns were optimized.
Practical Takeaways:
Attendees will have actual examples of cost-tracking mechanisms used in successful Quality 4.0 deployments for digitizing quality processes and methods.
Attendees will understand the basis for optimizing Quality Costs in both Predictive and Agile projects by integrating Preventive and Appraisal activities throughout all stages of project planning and delivery.
Attendees will become familiar with the specific quality characteristics pertinent to software, systems, and data QA as outlined in ISO 25010 (Systems and Software QA) and ISO 25012 (Data Quality).
Attendees will be refreshed on the application of core Cost of Quality methods and practices, applied to software and technology solutions to track external and internal failure costs; along with applicable Preventive and Appraisal costs.
CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Modifying an Electronic Medical Records System to Increase Patient Referrals to Cardiac Rehabilitation

Speaker(s)

Scott Warren, MA, CSSBB, CPHQ, PMP

Organizational Consultant

UC Davis Health

Speaker Information

Javier Lopez

UC Davis Health

Speaker Information

Our teams have learned some valuable lessons in our application of DMAIC to optimize process performance and quality within our regulatory environment. This session will share these insights and best practices for pursuing continuous process improvement in complex and cross-functional regulatory and oversight organizations. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Scott Warren CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Javier Lopez

On the Road to Achieving Simplicity

Speaker(s)

Nancy Collazo-Braier, PhD

Associate Center Director For Quality Management

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Speaker Information

This presentation will demonstrate how to achieve cycle time reduction by utilizing Lean/Six Sigma principles combined with Smart Factory Technologies. Combing these tools, enables us to quickly understand the total impact of the improvements. Making all improvements quantifiable and providing visibility to the influence of those changes to the P&L; we are now making changes with a purpose – to strengthen the company’s position in the marketplace. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Planning the Abandonment of Six Sigma - Shifting the Legacy

Speaker(s)

Gregory Watson, PhD EUR Ing

Founder, Chairman and Managing Partner

Business Excellence. Solutions, Ltd.

Speaker Information

The findings of the three-year study by the IAQ Continual Improvement Think Tank has not been publicly reported and the Quality 4.0 movement has been accelerating since the study was completed in 2017. Exposing the Lean and Six Sigma community to this study is an essential step forward in the dissemination of these research findings and the proposed rejuvenation of the concept of Continual Improvement based on the study of weaknesses and vulnerabilities contained in the historical approach to Lean and Six Sigma that was based on an "analog mindset" which is no longer valid. This presentation will challenge the thinking of the community as an out-of-the-box innovation has resulted in a total reconstruction of the Continual Improvement Process so it can be adapted to the digital world and facilitated by expert technical facilitators. This study represents a major advancement in the development of an integrated infrastructure for improvement thinking and acting. Our community needs to be aware of the weaknesses in its tradition as well as the opportunities to transition to an improved future state. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Preparing for AI with Lessons from Your Gage R&R Past

Speaker(s)

Christopher Colaw

Senior Manager, Quality & Mission Success

Lockheed Martin

Speaker Information

AI maturity depends on detection and classification capabilities, as well as an adequate source of training data, in addition to minimized hardware variation (visual cameras and lighting hardware). This presentation will begin by defining the AI for Inspection approach, introduction to key topics in the data science engineering body of knowledge, and a focus on variation reduction techniques for both the AI algorithm and the hardware systems that will be used to deploy them. CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Project Management and Process Improvement - Key Skills for Managing Quality

Speaker(s)

Andrew Kirsch, MS MA

Principal

Project Management Virtual Coaching LLC

Speaker Information

This is a talk intended primarily for business managers, quality leaders, and Lean Six Sigma leaders; that is to say, those who manage the resources applied to projects for process improvement to drive Quality. These managers and leaders need to ensure that their projects and process improvement resources are used most effectively, which is harder than it sounds. Worse yet, many organizations just assign teams and individuals to “get it done” with limited training and little-to-no coaching. Unsurprisingly, the results are very uneven. The talk will also be of value to individual quality engineers, belts, and project managers, even if they are inhibited to some degree by the management system that they work within.
This presentation will endeavor to:
* Distinguish project management and process improvement
* Illustrate how each skill set fits into an organization’s quality efforts and intertwine on another
* Expose some common project-level gaps in those skills
*Explain how sound project coaching helps ensure project excellence CLICK HERE to complete the session survey

Quality 4.0 Makeover - Applying Lean Tools for Competitive Advantage

Speaker(s)

Javed Cheema, Fellow ASQ, CMQ/OE, CQE, CSSBB, CQA 

Chief Engineer

Altarum Insitute

Speaker Information

Industry 4.0 and Quality 4.0 are the hottest topics, especially in manufacturing industry. Presenters have been asked by several peers and professionals how to develop strategy maps for s flawless transition to Quality 4.0. This is inherently a complex question but fortunately many best practices are available for risk mitigation during execution. This presentation will address all those questions. Quality and business professionals will be explained how the value streams of all elements of Quality 4.0 system be planned and managed. Several examples and proven tools will be shared with supplemental resources and references. Javed Cheema will share strategy map development exercise as follows: 1. Forming a Quality 4.0 thinkers’ forum in organization representing all stakeholders 2. Analyzing current state performance and identifying major problem areas 3. Developing a compelling business case Quality 4.0 for your organization including ROI period 4. Creating a realistic implementation timeline and assign roles and responsibilities 5. Frequently reviewing progress and adjusting for unanticipated events or issues 6. Holding a comprehensive reflection event on envisioned versus actual future state.. CLICK HERE to complete the survey for Javed Cheema

Optimizing Overall Equipment Effectiveness of Capital Medical Assets

Speaker(s)

Javed Cheema, Fellow ASQ, CMQ/OE, CQE, CSSBB, CQA 

Chief Engineer

Altarum Insitute

Speaker Information

This presentation will feature a unique, federal-government-specific examination of keys to developing enduring continuous improvement culture. Specifically, we will share some recent projects that implemented Lean principles within federal Veterans' organizations. These organizations are composed of a highly mission-oriented workforce with a clear desire to deliver the best in health care and benefits to the Veteran population, and are subject to federal government-wide policies which tend to drive similar, and in many ways, suboptimal processes and practices. Opportunities to improve are plentiful as CI culture is not often prioritized, and it is up to talented leaders with the right vision to take advantage of CI opportunities and drive change.

Educational Resources

https://asq.org/specialized-credentials/lean

https://asq.org/training/certified-six-sigma-black-belt-certification-preparation-spcssbb2015asq

Successfully Navigate the Winding Road of Weibull Analysis

Speaker(s)

Scott C. Sterbenz

Professional Engineer, State of Michigan

Ford Motor Company

Speaker Information

The Weibull distribution has many applications in problem solving, especially when the practitioner wishes to examine life data or reliability. Performing the analysis correctly and comprehensively is paramount to properly assess failure mode characteristics, evaluate design or process improvements, and develop efficient test plans. This presentation covers life data analysis from start to finish—including how to make sure the Weibull distribution is proper for the analysis, how to determine what type of failure mode is present, how to evaluate potential design or process improvements, and how to develop an efficient evaluation plan for new designs and processes. No longer will the winding road of Weibull analysis be difficult to navigate.

Infusing Data Science into DMAIC

Speaker(s)

Scott Rutherford

Instructor & Master Black Belt

US Navy

Speaker Information

Operations Research / Management Science techniques, now included as part of the Data Science field, has been a field of study since WWII. Some AI techniques, neural networks, expert systems (heuristic programming) began life here. When first introduced as tools, they required a lot of time, computing power, and digging into data that even 30 years ago it was not practical to use these techniques widely. Given that 1980's computing power has been eclipsed by current hardware platforms, these techniques are now more available and are applicable with the tougher problems that we face currently. This presentation will give a brief history of some of the Operations Research / Management Science techniques available. Secondly, the presentation will match these different tools to the various phases of DMAIC and provide some potential examples of their application. Finally, some of these techniques will be displayed as examples in MS Excel. In addition to the presentation slides, there will be a spreadsheet with some of these examples available to the attendees.

Educational Resources

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Preparation (SPYBCP2016ASQ)
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (VLSSYB)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (VSSG)
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (VSSB)

Driving Quality Culture Change with DMAIC - Defect isn't a Dirty Word

Speaker(s)

Paula Evans

Project Engineer/Black Belt

Houston Forensic Science Center

Speaker Information

In this presentation we’ll discuss how my organization used a DMAIC project to drive a culture of quality and an openness to acknowledge and collect data around defects so that the organization can easily identify where opportunities for improvement exist. The presentation will go over how the project was made possible by creating a sophisticated data-collection tool. It will cover key steps to gain buy-in, discuss how powerful Voice Of the Customer sessions can be, and will present project results. We will explore how we automated data analysis for management and common pitfalls that can be made when trying to use lean six sigma to make significant culture change and how we avoided them to get real buy-in from staff.

Educational Resources

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Preparation (SPYBCP2016ASQ)
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (VLSSYB)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (VSSG)
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (VSSB)
• Introduction To Six Sigma – Services Version (ISSS01MS)

Panel & Polling discussion: Your Best Decade: Skills, Traits and Strategies for your Quality Career

ASQ Support and Innovation in Training

To access the ASQ Education Catalog, CLICK HERE.

Cambridge Air Video Tour: Adopting the 2-Second Lean brought to you by the Lean Enterprise Division (LED)

2021 Annual Meeting of Members

Thank you for joining us. We are excited to share highlights of ASQ’s work in service to you and the quality profession. Additionally, this is an opportunity to provide transparency on how ASQ conducts business, understand how decisions are made, and how your voice is reflected in the Society.

ASQ Board of Directors Chair, Janet Raddatz, and other ASQ leaders will review the past year and give you insights on what to expect in the year ahead. While the meeting is virtual, you will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions in real time through the site chat feature.

Building Community and Getting Results

World Quality Day and World Quality Month, enable a broader reach for quality awareness – shining an international spotlight on its significance.

Since 2010, ASQ has celebrated World Quality Month and offered a platform for individuals and organizations to tout their accomplishments. Visit the World Quality Month website for a list of activities.