Page 195 - Design for Six Sigma for Service (Six SIGMA Operational Methods)

166 Chapter Seven

Table 7.12 Idea Generation Form

What Else Will Do the Job?
Function: Enhance Appearance

1. Use laminate instead of paint
2. Use stainless-steel parts
3. Use plastic material

4. Use curves instead of sharp edges
5. Delete complicated features
6. Paint parts individually before assembly

7. Use chrome plating
8. Use multicolor paint
9. Use gold material

7.4 Evaluation Phase

Evaluating the ideas developed during the creative phase is a critical step in
the value-engineering job plan. The ideas generated will include practical
suggestions as well as wild ideas. Each and every idea must be evaluated
without prejudice to determine if it can be used or what characteristics of
the idea may be useful.

Proper evaluation of the ideas is a critical step. Remember, if an idea is
discarded without thorough evaluation, the key to a successful solution may
be lost. The time to create ideas is in the creative phase. If an idea is
discarded, there may not be another opportunity to develop it again.

During the screening process, it must be kept in mind that the objective is not
to discard ideas but to look for the good in them. All too frequently, a new idea
will create a negative reaction, for example, “That’s a great idea but let me tell
you what is wrong with it.” We should say, “That’s a great idea. What can we
do to make it work?” There never seems to be any problem thinking of reasons
why something will not work. However, developing ways to make an idea
work takes ingenuity. How can we make it work or what is there about this
idea we can use should be the state of mind during the screening process.