|
The
ideal quality problem-solving expert should have strong human relations
and analytical skills as well as an adept understanding of a variety of
concepts and disciplines.
Human relation skills are critical.
The
need for the expert to have very good people skills is very important,
since he is extensively involved in securing information, data and
samples from a wide assortment of managers, engineers and workers.
Frequently these requests intrude on the daily schedules and routines of
busy people.
An effective
troubleshooter also needs to be analytical, creative and well versed in
diagnostic, reliability techniques as well as statistical methodologies,
and quality-related cost systems.
Knowledge of diagnostic skills is
fundamental.
They include quality function deployment
(QFD), Pareto analysis, Ishikawa "fishbone" cause-and-effect
diagram, process capability and time to time analyses, dissection into
streams and processes, etc.
Knowledge of reliability techniques is
essential.
They include
reliability quantification, failure distributions, data collection and
analyses, failure mode and effect analyses, life and environmental
testing, maintainability, field performance data feedback, etc.
Knowledge of statistical techniques is
necessary.
They include multivariate
analysis, probability distributions, sampling, control charts, regression
analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), etc.
Knowledge of quality-related cost systems is
important.
These
refer to
the expert's understanding of accounting principles. He should be able to
estimate various quality product costs which might not be available from
the accounting system.
|
