Page 158 - Design for Six Sigma for Service (Six SIGMA Operational Methods)

132 Chapter Seven

Free use of imagination means free from the constraints of past habits and
attitudes. A seemingly wild idea may trigger the best solution to the problem
in someone else. Without a free exchange of ideas, the best solution may
never be developed. A skilled leader can produce outstanding results by brain-
storming and by providing simple thought stimulation at the proper time.

7.1.1 Evaluation, Planning, Reporting, and Implementation
The creative phase does not usually result in concrete ideas that can be
directly developed into outstanding products. The creative phase is an
attempt to develop the maximum number of possible alternatives to satisfy
a function. These ideas or concepts must be screened, evaluated, combined,
and developed to finally produce a practical recommendation. It requires
flexibility, tenacity, visualization, and frequently the application of special
methods designed to aid in the selection process. The process is carried out
during the evaluation and planning phases of the job plan and is covered in
detail in those sections of the text.

The recommendations must be accepted as part of a design or plan to be
successful. In short, they must be sold. They must show the benefits to be
gained, how these benefits will be obtained, and finally, proof that the ideas
will work. This takes time, persistence, and enthusiasm, and details of a rec-
ommended procedure are covered in Sec. 7.6 of the text.

7.1.2 The Job Plan

These are the basic features that make value engineering an effective tool.
All are applied in a step-by-step approach to a value study. The approach is
called the job plan and is broken down into six steps:
1. Information phase
2. Creative phase
3. Evaluation phase
4. Planning phase
5. Reporting phase
6. Implementation phase
Each step is designed to lead to a systematic solution to the problem after
consideration of all the factors involved.
We are going to discuss these six steps in the value engineering job plan in
Secs. 7.2 to 7.7. Section 7.8 will discuss a value engineering project in the
service industry.