ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
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About 11 or 12 years ago, I wrote a paper ... and gave it the above title. Philip Holt recently used the same phrase 'Emperors new clothes' in a reply to a post on LinkedIn and it reminded me that my journey which created Duxinaroe really stated with that paper. It was also published on the PEX website in 2009.
I decided to dust it off and have a look at what I was saying back then. I have to admit my writing style wasn't the best, but looking past the syntax issues, I am pleased to say I've remained broadly consistent in my views. So, always looking to share my thoughts, on the off-chance they help others, I thought i'd copy and paste a few extracts here ... (I may make a few improvements to wording) See what you think - this is the first. |
The Brain and Change
In March 2009 Elizabeth Gould gave a talk entitled ‘How does Experience Influence the Brain? This was at the same time she was presented with the Ben Franklin Award at the RSA. In this talk Gould explained her focus on ‘Neurogenesis’ (The birth of new neuronal cells in the brain). Interestingly for the world of organisational change, she also touched on the related rate of change in an adult mammalian brain.
Originally investigating the effect of hormones on cell survival, an experiment, which saw the removal of the adrenal glands in rodents, resulted in massive cell death in certain brain regions, but confusingly, no net decrease in brain mass.
To explain the anomaly in her own experiment Gould and her colleagues went on a search of old studies and soon found papers from the 1960’s (this was before the internet) from various authors.
In his book ‘Key Strategies for Plant Improvement’ Shigeo Shingo writes;
“When a method is familiar, we move naturally, without having to think what task should be done next or how each task should be done. Consequently, the job can be carried out without burdening the brain.
That means there is no psychological burden involved, and a worker can hum as he works.
Workers end up believing that familiar operations are easiest and therefore the best way of doing things. But is this in fact so? Lilian Gilbreth devised some “Table-Top Improvement Experiments” that help clarify this point. (Shingo 1987. P. 149 – emphasis mine).
In a letter to Alan G. and Margaret M. Robinson, cited in their co-authored paper “On the tabletop experiments of Japan”, (School of management, University of Massachusetts 1994) following an enquiry as to further details surrounding Lilian Gilbreths influence, Shigeo Shingo replied with a full set of ‘TableTop’ experiments and the following note; “As to a source reference for them, I am unable to help you, to my regret, since I do not have any written memo about them in either English or Japanese. I learned them from Mr. Horigome, my most respected teacher in industrial engineering, very long ago, probably around 1937. As far as I know, he learned them from his teacher Mr. Tsunoda, who worked at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal and attended a lecture given by Lilian Gilbreth in the Taisho Era [1912-1926] (Shingo, S. Personal communication).
Following further research in Japan, A.G. and M.M. Robinson were able to identify six experiments, devised by Frank and Lilian Gilbreth, originally introduced to Japan via some class notes of a Japanese student of Frank Gilbreth in 1923.
For the purpose of this essay, it can be noted that Shingo alludes to the successful adoption of the lessons delivered by these experiments as a ‘psychological’ and ‘brain burden’ issue.
It can also be noted that the Tabletop experiments seem to have had a profound influence over the entire approach to management across Japan, and subsequently, the rest of the world. Lilian Gilbreth was the author of The Psychology of Management: The Function of the Mind in Determining, Teaching, and Installing Methods of Least Waste (1914).
This publication investigates the psychological aspects of scientific management, incorporating concepts of human relations and worker individuality into management principles. It is noteworthy, that in 1968, Lilian Gilbreth was awarded, in the name of the emperor of Japan, the "Third Class of the Order of the Precious Crown'' for "Outstanding contribution to the guidance and diffusion of scientific management and industrial development".
We're delighted to announce the new Dux Academy is now available at www.duxinaroe.com
We provide premium courses, teaching Executives, Senior Leaders, Managers and Supervisors, from both the manufacturing and service sectors, how to achieve an increased rate of organisational change and a greater ROI through the conscious development of a Lean Culture.
Our PILOT course is 'Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving', through which we will provide free 20min coaching sessions for the first 20 subscribers. Similar content will build over the coming months to provide convenient access to this exclusive approach, covering all the Lean tools required to navigate the Lean roadmap below.
More Importantly
The entire corporate world knows that the sustainability of any change initiative has been the greatest challenge since Quality Circles first graced our shores in the late 1970's and early 1980's... and that a lack of sustained change (to deliver continuous process improvement) is a result of a lack of focus on Culture Change!
We've all seen the pattern;
1. Introduce Lean Tools / New Technology as a project,
2. Introuce a Strategic model as a project,
3. Blame the people / culture!
And repeat!
... with very little idea of how to address, blame, the poor adoption of the new methods or, in general, the culture... other than through the introduction of more tools and technology.
To break that cycle, we utilise the latest findings from the worlds of Neuroscience and Psychology to provide a working definition of culture. Dux leaders come to understand what it takes to create the conditions in which people feel psychologically safe (reducing / removing "resistance to change") which increases the adoption rate of new methods.
Join the Dux Academy free today and we will make sure you're the first to hear when each new course becomes available.
We look forward to seeing you there and helping you with your change initiatives www.duxinaroe.com
Root-Cause problem solving applies to more than just process and machines!
It dawned on me, that we forget a lot of what we have previously known... and a model I threw together one day about 8 or 9 years ago (to capture a few thoughts) popped into my head ... so I dug it out and gave it the once over.
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