I also spoke of using MoQ principals in my work. My job title is Research
and Development Quality Specialist, and my duties involve applying quality
(small Q) processes and principals to the design, testing, and manufacturing
processes, as well as the continuing Quality Improvement of existing
products. When I refer to quality, I am talking about the established,
static body of knowledge as originally developed by Juran, Deming, and their
contemporories. You have probably heard of statistical process control,
six-sigma, and other buzzwords, and that all falls into the category of
"small Q quality", by my definition.
By simply applying these tools to my work, I would fulfill the requirements
of my job description, but I wouldn't be satisfied with my own efforts or
efficacy. So I view everything that is currently in-place here, all systems,
procedures, and products, as patterns of SQ, awaiting the application of DQ
to make them better. I am the instrument through which DQ is applied. In
addition to operational issues, and when time permits, I also try to address
Quality of Life issues in our department by holding Quality Exercises, or
meetings which are kind of "structured bitch sessions". These illuminate
festering problems which have been lurking in the shadows and give workers a
chance to be heard without fear of repercussions. In some cases, we are
actually able to modify policy in order to better meet everyone's needs.
Much as Mr. Devlin councils, it really helps to take a beginner's, or
clean-slate approach to the issues presented for improvement or corrective
action. When I begin work on a particular problem, more often than not I am
met with the old, "But, that's the way we've ALWAYS done it!" obstacle. I
usually reply to this: "Yes, but somebody has decided it is time to do it
BETTER." Dynamic Quality is almost never painless.
When we change (improve!) a process, or a design, or a system, we follow it
up with lots of training and data presentation to show the positive effects
of the change, in order to "latch-in" the improvement and make it part of
the current pattern of SQ.
I have been waiting for this opportunity to sit here, at work, and put down
these thoughts for the MD list! It helps me clarify my position and verify
that I am still on the right track. FWIW, I have no college degree (yet!)
and recently introduced myself to the list by referring to the fact that
this fall I will be a 38 year old freshman at the U of M. All of my
technical and quality training comes from 10 years in the Marine Corps as an
avionics technician, and subsequent civilian jobs always in the quality and
medical electronics fields. I feel I am breaking new ground here by adding
MoQ principals to the existing ASQ (American Society for Quality) tools
which are industry standard. The two systems tend to compliment each other
more often than not, in my experience.
Thanks for letting me ramble...
Gary Charpentier
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Stephen Devlin
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 9:59 AM
> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
> Subject: RE: MD peace and love
>
>
> The approach the "old timers" have is generally all Quality related even
> though they may not be directly aware of it.I work in an Electronics
> manufacturing plant and problems frequently arise that if not
> solved fairly
> quickly result in losses of £100 000s and more in terms of
> penalty clauses,
> lost potential orders etc. Most of the problems are easily solved if you
> don't have the "short between the earphones" and to do this you step
> back,take a beginners approach and think "what do I know for sure/why do I
> think that"-look for human errors and the nearly obvious. a lot of my
> colleagues are only college/university trained and as such are
> not aware of
> engineering standards used by the military and nasa,incidentally,these two
> standards are only the highest in the world because every aspect
> of a simple
> job has been considered in the light of previous experience and its
> results.its surprising how many engineers i know who took up engineering
> after reading ZAMM (most have hobbies with motorbikes and canal
> barges too)
> but they haven't ( to my knowledge) found Lila as directly applicable to
> their own experience-but ZAMM has been around a lot longer and
> thus probably
> read more.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: 30 May 2001 15:13
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: MD peace and love
>
>
> The recent Capitalism vs. Socialism discussions reminded me of a
> post from a
>
> few weeks ago in which a new member said something about the MoQ having a
> direct impact on his company's bottom line in the way of cost savings. I
> think it was manufacturing-related. If that member (I don't remember who)
> is
> still around I think it would be quite pertinent to have a
> concrete example
> of how the MoQ was implemented into his workplace.
>
> Aside to Marco: So THAT'S why Ferrari's are red!!!
> Aside to Rasheed: An accomplished chess player AND a lady's
> man!!?? You are
> quite the Renaissance guy!!!
>
> Clarke
>
>
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