Page 124 - Six Sigma for electronics design and manufacturing

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Six Sigma and Manufacturing Control Systems
3.4.1.1 Brainstorming. A technique used to get a group to generate the
maximum number of ideas on a topic or a problem, brainstorming is
useful in opening discussions by involving all group members to gen-
erate as many ideas as possible without bias to any single idea.
Brainstorming is a good tool to use for group discussion trying to
solve a problem or initiate an action. It has been used extensively in
developing and focusing teams of engineers to solve problems or gen-
erate ideas for initiating and completing tasks.
The group members should be knowledgeable on the topic to be dis-
cussed. Every member should participate in brainstorming. The ideas
should be promptly recorded without any arguments and no one per-
son should dominate the discussion.
There are three phases of brainstorming:
1. Idea generation
Create as many ideas as possible. List these ideas on a flip chart
or sticky paper.
All ideas are permitted; the team should be as freewheeling as
possible. One good idea can trigger another.
The team members should not interrupt each other or analyze
ideas presented; there should be no jumping to conclusions. They
should only ask questions to clarify issues when ideas are
recorded.
The team should adapt or build on ideas already listed.
2. Clarification
Team facilitator should repeat all items on the list and have
every team member agree and understand each idea.
Remove duplications and add any new ideas.
Record the list as necessary.
3. Evaluation
Narrow down the list by allowing discussions.
Agree on a final list of ideas acceptable to the group.
It is advisable to use simulated training sessions for brainstorming.
A group could attempt to tackle a problem, such as the design of a pa-
per airplane or improving a golf swing or a tennis game, before em-
barking on brainstorming the problem at hand.

3.4.1.2 The cause and effect diagrams. This tool shows the relationship
between the effect (reject) and its possible causes. It is used to logical-
ly group and identify all possible problems. It is also referred to as the
“fishbone” or “Ishakawa” diagram.