12.2 - Critical Path Analysis, SCRUM, Six Sigma

Critical Path Analysis

Project managment method used to make projects as efficient as possible

How CPA works

Allows thungs to be done at the same time
Works well for time sensitivity
Calcuates the shorttres time a product could take to make

Advantages of CPA

Cuts down uncessary waiting
Parallel processes
Efficient resource planning

Disadvantages of CPA

May be difficult to accurately represent complex activity
External factors may change and require intervention
Relies on possibly inaccurate estimates

Illustratuion of CPA

Red line is critical path
Illustrates how multiple jobs are being done at once

Scrum

Focusses on flexible and holisitic product development

Scrum in practice

Teams have multiple different skill sets
They work in short sprints
Allows for adaptation and fast iteration
Designers and engineers - make it look good and make sure it will actually work
Short and long term goals established

Advantages of Scrum

Time and money used effectively
Projects move quickly
Allows for customer feedback
Allows for testing

Disadvantages of Scrum

Lack of definitive completion date
Success is reliant on cooperation and commitment
Large groups can decrease productivity
Losing team members can be very detrimental

Six Sigma

A method to improve processes - DMAIC (5 stages NOT 6)

It puts numers to targets

Reducing process cycle time
Reducing pollution
Reducing Cost
Increasing customer satisfaction
Increasing profit
Redesigining

Poka-Yoke method

Makes it impossible to carry out processes incorrectly

Stage 1 - Define

Set goals and objectives:
Staff, skills and processes required

Stage 2 - Measure

Look at estimates or existing data and consider the cost/ quality/ schedule to develop the team

Stage 3 - Analyse

Identify which processes actually add value to the project
Consider which will need more time or funding and justify why

Stage 4 - Improvements

Reduces stakes and improves effiiciency
Implamentation needs verification

Stage 5 - Control

Ensures new processes become standard practice
If new errors arise, changes are made and the process repeats

Advantages of six sigma

Direct impact on profitability
Improves overall quality through quality assurance
Increases customer satisfaction
Prevents losses rather than waiting for them to happen

Disadvantages of six sigma

Expensive processes increase costs
Huge amounts of data - analysis needs time and resources
Training can be expensive
Can prevent innovation for being risky

SS improves quality

Focussing of quality control and reducing the number of defects

SS reduces process cycle time

Removes errors and unncessary stages

SS reduces pollution

Reduces transportation, travel and waste from faulty products

SS reduces costs

Simplifies processes and steps required by using common processes across products

SS makes processes consistent

Streamlines processes to reduce the possibility of defects

SS improves efficiency/productivity

DMAIC improves results and streamlines resource use

SS is a managment tool/methodology

Employees become involved in quality assurance and reducing defects as they understand the processes involved