After a roundtable introduction and catch up session, the group got down to discussing the topic of problem solving and what techniques to use when a problem presents itself.

We looked at the four basic steps in problem solving and discussed:

• What tools to use?
• How do you know which tools to use for each type of problem?
• How do you avoid "group think", schedule pressures, biased experiences, etc. to be able to apply critical thinking to successfully solve problems?

The group agreed that the most important aspect to problem solving is ensuring you have the root cause well defined.  The repeated question "Why" can help to drill this down.  One indicator to test if the root cause has been identified is "can you turn it on and off?"  Another is to try to create the problem and, if you can, you have the root cause.  Once the root cause of the problem has been identified, there are numerous techniques to use to assist in solving the problem including:

• Ishikawa Diagram (Fishbone Diagram) to document the aspects to analyze including:
• • Machine
  • Material
  • Man - (In automotive, operator error is not an acceptable cause of a problem.  If an operator makes a mistake, your systems let them do so, therefore the system(s) is/are the problem.)
  • Method
  • Mother Nature
  • Management
  • Money
• 8D
• DMAIC
• PDCA

An extensive list is included in the presentation supplied by Blake Roussell of Theta Industries that is available on the Barrie/Midland/Muskoka member area at http://www.emccanada.org/emc_member/ontario/barrie