Simplicity in our Problem Solving Efforts

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: -1 (from 3 votes)
VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: 6.7/10 (3 votes cast)

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” - Confucius

Problem solving is simple irrespective of what the problem is or what methodology you are using. But we insist on making it complicated. Sometimes tools are given some fancy names and later on recycled and marketed with another fancy name. There are good reason for that and there are bad. But we have to remember that the problem solving is simple when you look at the basics. You determine what the problem is , and agree upon the direction we want to move. Then we take small steps or experiments which move us incrementally towards that direction.

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: 6.7/10 (3 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: -1 (from 3 votes)

The Long Tail of Problem Solving

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

As you may have noticed there are few unique types of problems which have very large impact (Financially or in some intangible way). As we get to the process level on the shop-floor we come across hundreds, if not thousands of low impact problems. If we plot all these problems we see something which look like a Long Tail distribution.Longtail

Though the solution of the individual problem in the “Fat Tail” may have a small impact, but together they contribute to the largest portion of the gain if solved.

How do we solve so many problems simultaneously without overloading our resources. This makes us realize the importance of empowering each and every person to solve their problem. What ever tools you use, like A3 , 5 Why, Ishikawa Diagram,  etc. to train should be aimed to decentralize the problem solution. When we have each and every person in the organisation trained in this manner it creates a synergistic effect allowing to solve several problems large and small simultaneously.

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)