Eight Disciplines Problem Solving
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Eight Disciplines Problem Solving is a method used to approach and to resolve problems - typically employed by quality engineers or other professionals.
[edit] Steps
D1: Assemble a cross-functional team of experts
D2: Define the Problem.
D3: Implement and verify Interim Containment Actions (ICAs) as needed
D4: Identify and Verify Root Cause
D5: Choose and verify Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs)
D6: Implement and validate PCAs
D7: Prevent recurrance of the Problem/Root Cause
D8: Recognize the efforts of the Team
Many common disciplines are typically involved in the "8D" process, all of which can be found in various textbooks and reference materials used by Quality Assurance professionals. For example, an "Is/Is Not" worksheet is a common tool employed at D2, and a "Fishbone Diagram" is a common tool employed at D4.
The 8D process originally arose out of Ford Motor Company, where it went through several iterations over several decades, including "TOPS" or "Team Oriented Problem Solving". In the late 1990's, Ford developed a revised version of the 8D process, officially titled "Global 8D" (G8D)which is the current global standard for Ford and many other companies in the automotive supply chain. The major revisions to the process are as follows:
- Addition of a D0 (D-Zero) step as a gateway to the process. At D0, the team documents the symptoms that initiated the effort along with any Emergency Response Actions (ERAs) that were taken before formal initiation of the G8D. D0 also incorporates standard assessing questions meant to determine whether a full G8D is required. The assessing questions are meant to ensure that in a world of limited problem-solving resources, the efforts required for a full team-based problem-solving effort are limited to those problems that warrant these resources.
- Addition of Escape Point to D4 through D6. The idea here is to consider not only the Root Cause of a problem, but equally importantly, what went wrong with the control system in allowing this problem to escape. Global 8D requires the team to identify and verify this Escape Point (defined as the earliest control point in the control system following the Root Cause that should have detected the problem but failed to do so) at D4. Then, through D5 and D6, the process requires the team to choose, verify, implement, and validate Permanent Corrective Actions to address the Escape Point.
Along with these revisions to the process, Ford developed a web-based software package, called Global 8D, to faciliate implementation of this process, standardize reporting, maintain a searchable repository of problem-solving efforts, and enhance team collaboration.
