Integrating Your Problem Solving Skills

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Introduction

Based on your completion of the activities found in the Teamwork, Basic Statistical Variation, and the Quality Foundations modules over the past several weeks you have acquired prerequisite skills necessary to practice successful problem solving. The next step is integrating what you have learned using a transfer activity centered on the context of a virtual company Robotic Grippers Incorporated. This transfer activity, which will require several hours of team time to complete, represents a real-world problem scenario.

In order to aid you in obtaining a successful transfer activity solution two paraphrased American Society for Quality (ASQ) published example case problems are provided for your review and analysis. These two case problems include, Using SPC in A Mexican Poultry Processing Plant, and A Quality Process Approach to Internal Complaint System Analysis.

Download case problems in pdf format

Individual Assignment

• Compare and contrast the two case problems by creating a concept map that describes your understanding of the problem solving process practiced in the two case problems. A hand drawn or software generated map, such as, Inspiration is acceptable. The next two pages provide a procedure for creating concept maps followed by an example of one type of concept map, a relationship map.
• Turn in a copy of the concept map to your facilitator for evaluation.
• Share you concept map with you team.
• Visit the problem solving web page

Team Assignment

• Discuss the common elements and differences anong the individual concept maps.
• Review and discuss the web-based materials on problems solving methods and then define the transfer activity problem type (analysis, decision, trobleshooting, diagnosis-improvement or design)
• Using the materials developed in the concept map discussion and the web-based materials select the appropriate problem solving process.

Procedure for Developing Concept Maps

1. Read the text quickly, circling important concept words or phrases.
2. List all of the important identified words.
3. Select the most important word and corresponding concept. Place this concept word at the middle of the page and then circle it.
4. Repeat this process with the next most important word and corresponding concept.
5. Consider the relationship that exists between these two concepts and write a label indicating the relationship.
6. Select the third word or phrase and repeat the process considering how this concept could relate to the previous two.
7. Continue the selection process until all important words and relationships are included.
8. Check for completeness and neatness.

Concept Map Example: Characterizing the Normal Distribution

• Jonassen, D., Beissner, K., & Yacci, M. (1993). Structural Knowledge: Techniques for Representing, Conveying, and Acquiring Structural Knowledge (1st ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.