exceptional thinking in developing countermeasures. This is not, however, a time
for them to “sit back on their laurels.” The nature of continuous improvement
means that completion of one problem-solving activity should lead to the start of
another. This is a reminder that while one problem has been resolved successfully,
there are many more that need attention.
At the conclusion of a problem-solving activity the “next steps” or “future
steps” are reviewed to remind everyone of this process of continuous improve-
ment. This section should address four issues in particular:
- Describe plans for wrapping up any “loose ends” pertaining to the current
activity. These are planned items that may not have been implemented
yet, or items that require some modification. - Explain how responsibility for sustaining current results and continued
improvement of the issue will be assigned and supported by the leadership
of the area. This item is crucial since improvement results are often not sus-
tained because there has been no responsibility assigned. (Responsibility is
often assumed to belong to leadership, but it must be clear what they will
do and how and when they will do it.) - Identify whether any assistance is needed to resolve any issues that are
beyond the control of the problem-solving team. This may include issues
with a material supplier that requires support from the purchasing
department, or help from an equipment manufacturer. - The team, or the individual, must look forward and identify the next prob-
lem to “pick up.” This would generally be the next most important issue
in the work area.
In addition to these four items, in some situations it is important to share the
information from this activity within the organization to areas experiencing
similar problems, or with similar processes. Generally, ensuring that informa-
tion is shared would be the responsibility of management. Members of the team
could provide the necessary technical experience to other groups.
Examples of possible future steps for the sawing example above are:
◆ Continue improving dirt containment and control activities.
◆ Implement daily 5S review by the team leader and weekly review by the
group leader.
◆ Develop an automatic unloading device to further reduce cycle time.
◆ Improve handling to further reduce cycle time.
◆ Begin an activity to correct other causes of late shipments.
Finally Some Action
The implementation phase of the process is when things finally change. It is a
time to develop a plan, begin to implement solutions, and verify the results.