An organization exists supported by many contributions by people. Even they are excellent employees, we cannot avoid a problem as long as many people work together. An important thing is to solve the problem better and faster, not to avoid it. And the speed of problem solving is getting more important as the competitions in the current market become harder.
If the scope of a problem is relatively small, the problem can be solved quickly by using a tool. But if you repeat the quick-problem-solvings at small areas again and again, you could loss the total integrity in the organization.
You need to use a framework to solve a large scale and cross-functional problem in the organization.
The problem solving framework decompose a large scale problem to many small scale problems one by one in order with keeping consistency, and solve the decomposed small problems with various tools, then build up a large scale solution from the small scale solutions with keeping the total integrity.
The framework in other words is the process, the steps in order, or the method for a problem solving including the way of thinking.
Sometimes the problem solving framework is so called “Systematic Thinking” or “Scientific Method”. It is because the framework solves a problem by repeating the following process:
- Define the problem and collect data
- Analyze the data and abstract the hypothesis
- Verify the hypothesis with test
- Validate the result by applying to the problem
In terms of “Systematic Thinking” or “Scientific Method”, the problem solving framework can be distinguished between the large frameworks and the small frameworks.
The large frameworks solve a large scale problem as optimizing the large scope globally. Some best large problem solving frameworks are Lean, Six Sigma and DFSS.
The small frameworks solve a small scale problem as optimizing the small scope locally. The tools such as QFD and DOE are typical small problem solving frameworks. And here, we call the small problem solving frameworks simply as “tools”.
The best problem solving frameworks (i.e., Lean, Six Sigma, DFSS, Lean Startup, 8D, etc.,) have several steps or phases, and solve a problem in order. Each step has a clear purpose for the problem solving. The Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) for example:
| DMAIC Steps | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Define | Collect VOC (Voice of Customer) Define the problem and the scope of problem solving Identify stakeholders Identify KPI (Key Performance Index), etc., |
| Measure | Measure the customer requirement Measure the problem in current process/product status Digitize measured values Identify issues and prioritize the issues, etc., |
| Analyze | Identify root-causes of the problem/issues Setup the target values for the problem solving, etc., |
| Improve | Identify improvements and future process/product status Analyze the gap between the current status and the future status Implement improvements Measure the effects of improvements, etc., |
| Control | Verify the achievements of problem solving using KPI Make the solution be stable, etc., |
When we recognize a problem we tend to jump in to a spur of the moment idea to solve the problem. The problem solving with the framework does not jump in to such a single conclusion. It’s because the problem solving framework is a dedicated process to make the limited time and money the most. The problem solving framework also trains our way of thinking systematically and scientifically. The more you use the frameworks, the quicker you can solve the problems.
The large problem solving framework solves a problem as decomposing a large problem to many small problems, and then the small problems are solved by using a right tool at the right time. Each tool has a defined process (or steps) to use. In that sense, each tool is a small framework for a problem solving.
The table shows a part of typical Lean Six Sigma tools. Using variety of tools freely with your imagination at the right time is another pleasure in the problem solving with a framework.
The problem solving with a framework not only solves a specific problem but improves the financial measures and the customer satisfaction with your new services or new products. Implementing a problem solving framework to your organization with trainings could also strengthen their skills and knowledge. They eventually become more competitive. Your organization consequently will increase the market share and grow for future. This is the ultimate purpose of the problem solving framework.
There are many different types of problem solving frameworks in the history. Some frameworks focus on product quality improvements, and some frameworks focus on process improvements. The diagram shows the history of frameworks, which was created by referring to www.essence-leadership.com with some modifications.
The number of frameworks including the methods, the standards and the thinking ways are increasing as the problems become more complicated in the rapid changes in the market. Selecting the best framework is very important for your organization and specific problems. The one of the best frameworks could be Lean and Six Sigma because they are developed combining with the historical knowledge and experiences. It was proved by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in 2011 with adopting Lean Six Sigma to their standards.
What is different between frameworks? Let’s discuss about Lean, Six Sigma and DFSS for example.
Lean can be used for the continuous improvements in the existing processes. It can be compared to our daily exercises, reducing over-weights, and quitting a bad habit for improving our good health conditions. It can also be compared to the oriental medicine. It could be make sense because Lean has been developed by Toyota and their Toyota Production System (TPS).
Even if we continuously improve our body health everyday, we could suddenly get an injury or a sick. In that case, we need an urgent care or a surgery using the western medicine. Six Sigma is very similar to the western medicine because it is a framework for urgent problem solving in the existing processes or products.
We sometime want to try something new for a joyful challenge with minimum risks. In case of companies, they try to develop a new service or a new product along with a new development process for future growth. The biggest concern when developing a something new is an unknown risk associated with the challenge, or ROI (Return on Investments). DFSS is a framework which can be used when we try to develop something new as reducing risks, prioritizing decisions and optimizing resources.
We are making a lot of efforts everyday for maintaining our good health, managing the urgent issues and developing our life for future. The companies are the same. They need the problem solving frameworks in their value streams from the beginning to the end to maintain their health and to grow for future.