Symptom, Problem and Problem-Solving Processes

Discuss the difference between a symptom and a problem. * A symptom is the effect caused by the problem while the problem is the reason causing the symptom. Problem is used with the intention of finding solution to it while symptom assists to recognize the problem. Would you classify excessive employee absenteeism as a symptom or a problem? Discuss. * I think absenteeism is a problem because it can be caused by some reasons. And those reasons are the symptom. For example, an employee is absent because he is sick. The problem is that he is absent and the reason is because of the symptom which is he is sick.Discuss the three types of errors that can occur during the problem-solving process. * Type I error involves solving a problem that does not exist. * Type II error is failing to recognize why the problem exists. * Type III error occurs when the wrong problem is solved. Discuss the proactive approach to mess finding. * It is recognizing a problem through the observation of one or mor e symptoms. It is often begin undertaking an investigation. List the steps in the problem-solving process. * Symptom recognition/ mess finding * Fact finding/ deviation Problem identification/ test for cause * Establish objectives * Generate alternatives * Solution development * Plan implementation * Set controls/ follow up What are the main purposes of a flow chart? Why might creating flow charts of the major processes for which you are responsible be a good idea when you start a new job? * To define and understand better a process. It facilitate an analysis of the steps in a process to determine the relationships between the steps. It also facilitates the process of continuos improvement.Because it can help for the better understanding of the processes and it will illustrate how the process works. Compare the use of check sheets and pareto diagrams. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each under which circumstances each would be preferred. * Check lists provides a simple r ecording of data by categories and enable the analyst to determine the relative frequency of occurrence of the various categories of the data but the pareto diagram provides a better organization of the data and a more polished presentation of the most and least frequency occurences.Discuss the differences between a run chart and a control chart. * A run chart can simply be defined as a graph in which data is plotted over a period of time, instead of being plotted all at once while the control chart are used to track the sample quality over time and detect any unusual behavior. Which of the tools of quality might be the most helpful in the setting controls/follow-up step in the problem-solving process? Discuss how they would be helpful in this step. * I think its flowchart because it provides a visual tool that is easy to use and understand.By seeing the steps involved in an operation or process, everyone develops a clear picture of how the operation works and where problems could a rise. Compare the PDSA and DMAIC approaches to continuous improvement. What are their key similarities and differences? * Difference between PDCA and DMAIC is the organizational infrastructure required in Six Sigma.. Six Sigma and the DMAIC methodology in which its work is carried out, requires a steering committee, tollgates, a champion, and a project sponsor. Similarities is that they both improve a process in a production system.Discuss the difference between benchmarking and comparison to national average. * Benchmarking is a process in w/c organization measures its strategic operations or internal process performance against those of that best organizations within or outside of the industry while comparison to national average is used to judge the quality of their suppliers and those of national averages. National averages provides no measure of variation in performance and no information about the best in class performers.