Basic Problem Solving Tools

This session provides an introduction to the topic of solving quality problems. You will get to know a few effective methods to help you deal with everyday problems. You will also learn what quality circles are and why it is a good practice to organise them.

After taking this lesson you will know what a Pareto Diagram is, how to build one, and the assumptions of the famous 80:20 rule. You will also learn where the Pareto rule applies and how it can be used in various types of organizations.

This lesson discusses one of the graphic ways of presenting the empirical distribution of a feature: the Histogram. You will learn what a Histogram is used for, how one is built, and even how to build one yourself.

This lesson is devoted to SWOT analysis. You’ll learn what SWOT analysis is, what it is used for, how to conduct it correctly, and what elements you should look for to avoid pitfalls during the analysis. You’ll also learn which methods you can combine with this tool to achieve the best results.

In this session you will find information about what an Ishikawa Diagram is, including how it is built, the principles to follow when building a diagram, and how to apply it. Finally, you will build a diagram yourself, following the stages discussed in the lesson.

This session will teach you what a relationship diagram is, along with how, where and with what other methods one can be applied. You will also learn about the benefits of using this method and practical examples of how a diagram can be used in the real world of business.

In this lesson you will learn what a process flow diagram is, how one is built, where it can be used, and who it can be used for. The Trainer is also including the rules for building such a diagram to present the actual process flow.

In this episode the Trainer discusses one of the world’s most popular methods for generating ideas: brainstorming. You will find information about the origins and stages of brainstorming, and you will find out what principles should be followed to achieve the intended results.

This lesson is dedicated to a problem solving tool called the ABC method, which is used to classify resources according to the three basic groups of A, B and C. You will learn about how these groups differ and how to classify resources, as well as the various stages of using the method. The Trainer will also highlight the circumstances under which the method can be used.

This part of the course is devoted to a method used to identify the factors that have the greatest impact on a given effect. This lesson will teach you how to perform an error tree analysis, and all about what determines its success. And remember that only logical thinking guarantees that selected factors and their analysis will lead your team to the root causes of the problem.

In this episode you will learn what the ABCD method is and when you can apply it for achieving best results. You will also learn about the different stages that make up the ABCD method.

This session ends the problem solving module. How can you present data to focus attention on what is most important? What types of visualization can you use, how and where can you use them? This course is the answer to these questions. Remember that data is important in any organization, and the understanding on how it should be presented is crucial for the effective transfer of information both inside and outside the company.