Page 177 - Design for Six Sigma for Service (Six SIGMA Operational Methods)

Value Engineering 149

for helping a person or group of persons visualize beyond their normally
accepted standards. In fact, the forcing and struggle necessary to properly
define a function make it possible for someone to look at what has been
seen many times before and see new and different things, to see the
problem in a new light. It can help someone achieve the ability to visualize
beyond the stated problem, as outstanding people have been able to do,
throughout the ages.

This means that not only is function the basic ingredient of value engi-
neering, but it provides the opportunity for a person to break down barriers
to seeing new things, to eliminate prejudices, and to come up with insights
never before thought possible.

Functions for Creativity
In the definition of function, it is important that several key questions be
kept in mind at all times. These questions are
• What are we really trying to do when we perform this action? Why is it
necessary to do this?
• Why is this part or action necessary?

Specific answers to these questions will aid you in zeroing in on a useful
definition.

It is also necessary to be aware that the functions of a product will be different
depending on who (for example, the plant manager, the product, or the
customer) is using it. Role playing the parts of these different people will
assist you in determining all these functions. This role playing may be
difficult at first, but it becomes easier with practice. The idea is to “let the job
be the boss,” as Kettering said. Be the crankshaft. What do you do? How do
you feel? Act the part of the customer. What do you see? What does it do for
you? If you were the plant manager, what would you want? How would you
get it? This system helps to eliminate bias in that functions can be defined
from all viewpoints and sorted out in the FAST diagram through cause-and-
effect relationships for maximum understanding and subject evaluation.

Start at the Top
In defining functions, first start with the assembly, complete process,
program, organization, or whatever the total project may be. Define the
functions. Do not haggle over whether the function has been properly
defined at this stage; it can be redefined later. Write every thought down so
it will not be forgotten.