Define and Measure Process Performance

This unit develops students’ ability to frame improvement projects, collect and analyze process data, and create practical experiments and visual controls that establish performance baselines. Students will learn Lean tools (waste reduction, 5S, visual management), measurement techniques (data collection plans, control charts), and team practices (facilitation, agile/Scrum, sponsorship) to prepare for root-cause analysis and solution design.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze process performance by creating and executing a data collection plan, calculating baseline metrics, and interpreting control charts to identify variation and stability
• Apply Lean methods (value stream/production cycle mapping, eight wastes, 5S, workplace organization) and visual management to prioritize improvement opportunities and generate a ranked list of suspects
• Demonstrate team and event leadership skills by planning and facilitating measurement activities, running time-boxed improvement events or Scrum sprints, and using checklists to ensure effective execution
• Evaluate early solution approaches by comparing DMADV and design thinking, testing candidate ideas through small experiments, and defining requirements and layout changes for transition into Analyze/Improve phases