Problem Solving Services

Quality consulting and problem solving can often be complicated by catchy slogans and misguided statistics that have little to do with solving the problem.  This is why our core values reflect a dedication to efficiency and simplicity; not only in the prompt arrival at a solution, but also in the utilization of viable resources such as manageable teams, small sample sizes and shorter client and executive review meetings.

We have refined our techniques and technologies in order to achieve a common language that plays an integral role in the development of standard work.  Ensuring a consistency of application, this common language also enables a system wherein difficult technical problems are solved both on the shop floor and in the research lab...without requiring a background in statistics.  As a result, Shainin tools have been described as being “statistically based without the statistics.”

Our investigative strategies use a process of elimination that keeps the team centered on finding the correct cause of the problem, avoiding the waste associated with simultaneously pursuing a number of potential solutions.

However, merely solving the problem is not enough.  Our focus on project selection identifies those projects that will contribute the most to achieving important business objectives.   This also provides the resources and management support necessary in the removal of roadblocks that inhibit project completion. We also provide templates for developing project strategies and communicating the status and results of those projects.

These uncompromising business practices have helped our clients save hundreds of millions of dollars — by their calculations, not ours.  Understanding the value in the development of a common, open and accessible language capable of both solving and preventing seemingly impossible problems is expressive of our continued dedication to the improvement of product quality and reliability.

How Is Shainin’s Approach Unique?

Focus:

Shainin converts the problem as management sees it into an engineering description with leverage.  Among other benefits, this description eliminates the confusion that comes from having data from two or more failure modes, each with their own root cause, superimposed. 

By staying focused on the effect we are trying to achieve, we avoid spending time and resources on an ever expanding list of possible causes.  Rather, we eliminate large groups of possible causes with each action.  Shainin backs up each step taken toward discovering the cause with solid, measured evidence, allowing rapid convergence to narrow the possible causes without needing to know their names.

Speed:

There is more than one way to approach a problem, but one way is the fastest.  Technical problems have a structure to them that makes them susceptible to previously defined problem solving patterns.  The Shainin process is able to quickly identify strategic options based on these patterns and judge the best option based on time, effort, cost, and resources involved.  These strategies ensure that each action converges closer to discovering the true cause, regardless of the outcome of the action.  Roadblocks are quickly avoided by switching to the best, previously identified, alternative strategy.

Efficiency:

Shainin puts a minimal burden on existing operations by using small sample sizes, small teams of 1 or 2 people, strategic options, and focused actions that converge rapidly.  Rather than produce a lot of action, Shainin produces the right next action.

Effectiveness:

Shainin has developed simple, graphical, and statistically rigorous tools to allow us to answer the question “why”, when the answer is otherwise unknown.  We insist on confirming and demonstrating we can control the desired effect before claiming victory with simple, fast, efficient, and rigorous confirmation tests.  With the Shainin approach, problems are solved conclusively and convincingly.

Talk to the Parts:

Tough problems often involve interactions that are not yet understood or recognized through experience alone.  By asking clever questions of the best and worst examples, the cause driving the differences is revealed in the answers.

Frequently Asked Questions about our Problem Solving Services

Our company currently has a strong Six Sigma initiative. How will Shainin fit into this program?

At Shainin, we want to help your company to achieve the objectives of your Six Sigma program; namely, to improve your product quality and reliability, as well as to improve your operational efficiency through closely managed projects. Shainin methodology will enhance your company’s Six Sigma program. In fact, many of our existing clients have discovered that Shainin Problem Solving skills allow their Green Belts and Black Belts to find and eradicate root causes of problems faster, with fewer resources. The difference is our proprietary investigative problem solving and prevention strategies and tools that you cannot get anywhere else. Our clients also like the fact that our classes are focused and significantly shorter than traditional Six Sigma training. Let Shainin help you to supercharge your Six Sigma program.

My company has made significant gains using Lean Manufacturing? What can Shainin offer that we are missing from our current program?

The objective of a lean manufacturing program is to highlight and remove waste from a manufacturing system or business process. Companies typically use Lean Manufacturing (also referred to as the Toyota Production System) to make immediate operational improvements as a direct output of Kaizen events. During these events, problems causing waste are identified, and corrective actions are put into place. Unfortunately, for many technical problems, the true cause is unknown and the corrective actions turn into a series of trial and error attempts at making improvements to the product or process. Shainin techniques offer a systematic approach to quickly and efficiently converge on the true cause without guessing. We will work as a partner to lean, offering an approach to the tough problems which lean exposes.

How do the Shainin methods differ from the 5 WHY problem solving approach?

5 WHY is a powerful technique to converge on the true sources causing a larger problem. The philosophy is to go to Gemba, or go to the shop floor and see with your own eyes what is happening and learn the cause by asking and answering WHY. Many of our Shainin consultants learned these techniques as part of Kaizen events in previous assignments. At Shainin, we also believe it is important to go to Gemba. We refer to our technique as “talking to the parts”; for they hold the clues as to what is causing the problem. For more complex problems, however, often the cause of the problem is not known, and can’t be understood by simply asking why. In fact, one of our clients has referred to our approach as “enhancing the art of asking WHY.” For these tough problems, Shainin techniques can enhance your 5 Why approach by making sure we ask the right “Why” questions, resulting in more options for improvement.