Cause and effect diagram case study

Introduction:

Write a brief 2-3 sentence introduction simply describing what Nissan has going on and what we are going to review. …Nissan, like most companies, has explored the use of process management functions. The below paper describes the use of these process management functions and how Nissan may incorporate them into their OM functions.

I. Theories and Techniques

A. Explain the five steps of the theory of constraints (TOC) process. To what processes might the company in the case study apply TOC? Why would applying TOC to these processes be advantageous?

Start with a brief description of what TOC is, after that type out the five steps. I would strongly suggest listing it out like this… The key on your example, don’t get too complex. Also, don’t try to include some of the next steps or description within your step. That is a common hang-up.

Step Nissan

Step 1-Identify the constraint. During this step, Nissan would identify the constraint as a bottleneck in the incoming portion of their supply lines.

Step 2-Develop a plan for overcoming the During this step, Nissan would determine how to unclog identified constraint. The bottleneck through reorganizing their loading dock.

Step 3-

…Etc. If you want, you can even start with a very similar example.

Be sure to use in-text citation for page 306.

B. Describe how total quality management (TQM) principles and tools can be used to improve quality in the latest line of products in the context of the case study.

During this section, write out a handful of sentences on what TQM is, and then a handful on how these tools can be applied through Nissan. Note, please see the text starting on page 208. Two keys, make sure you list the 7 key concepts from the course text. Also, be sure to list a couple of ways that Nissan can use some of these key concepts. IE; Nissan could utilize Six Sigma in order to find and reduce defects within an area of production.

II. Data Analysis

A. Draw a cause-and-effect diagram that assesses why some of the company’s supply chain partners might have struggled to implement some of the company’s newly developed materials. Summarize your findings from the diagram.

During this section, write out a handful of sentences setting up the cause and effect diagram. Something like; Nissan has been struggling to implement new windshields into their Altima model. This cause-and-effect diagram will help Nissan review for a root cause. A key consideration here, be sure to update the excel template for your problem. The problem state should be very short, just list the specific problem, not any causes or solutions. If you have the word because in your problem statement, it isn’t a good problem statement.

Use this template for easy drawing-

Based on our root cause analysis, we find the windshields are not working well because of a porous sealant.

B. Draw a hypothetical process (time-function) map for producing a recently released (within the past two years) product manufactured by the company. As an operations manager, how will you use the value map? Be sure to include your process map within your case study analysis.

This is a swim lane that can be built rather easily in excel.

The first column going down describes your different areas;

Customer

Sales

Production Input

Production

Painting/Detailing

Warehouse

Delivery

Time---

After building the map, note a sentence or two that indicates what you would find as the OM by looking at this map. Many students note excess hold times when building the flow chart so that they can then call out the issue here.

C. Considering the data and options below, determine where the company should locate its new manufacturing plant. Explain why this would be the favorable location.

Factor

Weight

Mexico City

Columbia, SC

Political Risk

.25

70

80

Transportation Costs

.20

40

90

Labor Productivity

.20

85

75

Rental Costs

.15

90

55

Labor Costs

.10

80

50

Taxes

.10

90

50

This is simply weighted average math. Weight column X City = Number

Fact Weight MC Total Colum Total

PR .25 x 70 = 17.5. x80 =20

TC .20 X 40 = 8 x90 =18

Continue this process through..

MC

SC

Political Risk

0.25

70

17.5

80

20

Transportation Costs

0.2

40

8

90

18

Labor Productivity

0.2

85

17

75

15

Rental Costs

0.15

90

13.5

55

8.25

Labor Costs

0.1

80

8

50

5

Taxes

0.1

90

9

50

5

=Mexico’s #

=SC’s #

As you flow through here keep the same logic. Then add the totals for MC v. Columbia SC. The highest number wins. Add in 2-3 sentences indicating; To determine our new production facility, the company used a weighted average calculation. Based on this calculation, the new facility should be located . For the actual decision, other factors may be included, but based on this math, the answer is clearly…

Sheet1
Fishbone Diagram Generator 2.0
Problem Statement
Major Cause Catagories
1 Machines 4 People
2 Methods 5 Environment
3 Materials 6 Systems
Specific Causes
#1 Machines #4 People
----> Not Trained ----> Wrong Metrics
----> ----> No Tracking at All
----> ---->
----> ---->
#2 Methods #5 Environment
----> Not Available ----> Not Accounting Oriented
----> Wrong Documents ----> Not Important to Leadership
----> ---->
----> ---->
#3 Materials #6 Systems
----> Not Documented ----> No Integration of Data
----> Not Followed ----> No Single System
----> Not Well Defined ---->
----> ---->
Step 1: Problem Statement
Step 2: Cause Catagories
Step 3: Specific Causes
Step 4: Create Fishbone
Materials won't work in new system
Finished
Finished
Finished Specific Causes
Enter the problem you are trying to analyze in the white box below. Include as much information on the "what", "when", and "how much" of the problem. Click "finished" to continue.
Fill in general cause catagories below. For suggested causes, click on your business type.You can add or change suggested causes if you choose. Click "finished" to continue.
Enter specific causes associated with respective major causes below. Be precise and include data whenever possible. Click "finished" to continue.
Welcome to FreeQuality.org's Fishbone Diagram Generator 2.0. Following the four simple steps below allows your firm to identify, analyze, and graphically depict with increasing detail, all potential causes related to a problem or current condition in order to discover its root causes. This software is a free service developed by Kevin Dougherty and Tom Smith of the Quality and Manufacturing Management program (QMM) at The Pennsylvania State University.
For more information about Penn State's Quality and Manufacturing Management program contact www.ie.psu.edu/qmm
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Invoices Not Posted to PMS
Not Followed
Not Trained
No Single System
Not Documented
Not Accounting Oriented
Not Well Defined
Not Important to Leadership
Wrong Documents
No Tracking at All
Wrong Metrics
No Integration of Data
Not Available
Environment
People
Procedures
Systems
Measurement
Source Documents
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Sheet3