Systematic Problem Solving for Sustained Improvements with Quality Tools
Using a proven methodology, you’ll learn to achieve and sustain organizational improvement. Class exercises focus on problem-solving tools which are immediately applicable to your current job.
The tools and concepts of this course will help you address the challenges you face in your work and in your life. By providing you with a proven methodology, this course will help you achieve improvement AND sustain it. An in-depth examination of established tools and approaches will help you acquire the skills you need to lead your work and your organization down the path of continuous and sustainable improvement. You’ll spend two-days in a hands-on learning environment covering the benefits of a fact-based, problem-solving, and proven methodology. Class exercises and discussion will examine how to apply the problem-solving process, when to apply it, which tools to use within it, and how those tools work. The concepts covered in this course will provide you with the on-the-job applications you need to succeed!
Questions? We Can Help.
Course Data
- CEU Hours: 0
- Length: 13 Hours
- ASQ RU: 1.3
- Audience: Practitioner
- Provider: ASQ
Learning Objectives:
- Understand when to use the problem-solving process.
- Organize a problem-solving process, monitor for results, quantify the benefits, and improve the process.
- Design when and how to apply the following quality tools: brainstorming, multivoting, Pareto analysis, force-field analysis, tree diagrams, affinity diagrams, selection matrices, data selection, check sheets, run charts, flowcharting, mapping work processes, Gantt charts, cause-and-effect fishbone diagrams, histograms, block diagrams, and scatter diagrams.
- Practice working as a team member, building respect for other members, achieving team consensus, and gaining buy-in for creative, fact-based change.
Who Should Attend:
Quality managers, team facilitators, team members, process improvement project leaders, supervisors. This training would also be beneficial for employees and new hires within organizations using continuous improvement and corrective-action systems.- Define
- Describe problem and goal statements in Project Charter
- Define the problem and goal statements
- Assure alignment to key business goals/objectives
- Form a team and define roles, authority, resources, responsibilities
- Secure approval, if needed
- Define process boundaries; possible use of a SIPOC
- Identify customers and other key stakeholders and requirements/targets
- Develop a project timeline; Gantt chart
- Describe problem and goal statements in Project Charter
- Measure
- Study the process and its performance
- Develop a Data and Information Collection plan to determine what the team needs to understand
- Determine baseline measures and quantify performance gap using:
Brainstorming, Multi-voting consensus, Flowcharts, Use of data check sheets, corrective action forms, process/audit/ customer information, Bar charts, run charts, Pareto charts
- Study the process and its performance
- Analyze
- Determine root causes
- Identify and prioritize probable causes using the 5 Why’s, Fishbone and Tree diagrams, Root Cause verification Matrix
- Determine most probable causes
- Review most probable causes
- Generate potential solutions
- Establish a rating selection criteria
- Determine root causes
- Improve (and Implement)
- Select best alternative solution
- Tree diagram
- Brainstorming and multi-voting consensus
- Affinity diagram
- Scatter diagram
- Selection matrix
- Force field analysis
- Interviews/ surveys
- Develop Implementation Plan
- Develop an implementation project plan including: resources, timeline, document changes, communication/training, control plan, monitoring/reporting, audits, positive and negative consequences
- Pilot or test plan
- Collect data to determine solution effectiveness; verify the performance gap is closed; revise if needed
- Select best alternative solution
- Control
- Maintain the gains and standardize
- Implement the plan
- Capture and share lessons learned and evaluate impact
- Look for opportunities to replicate and new opportunities
- Project Close out
- Close out project charter
- Maintain the gains and standardize
Who Should Attend
This is must-have foundation training for management as well as line employees and new hires within any organization using continuous improvement and corrective-action systems. It is a requirement of ISO 9001:2000 and needed for performance excellence.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand when to use the problem-solving process.
- Organize a problem-solving process, monitor for results, quantify the benefits, and improve the process.
- Design when and how to apply the following quality tools: brainstorming, multivoting, Pareto analysis, force-field analysis, tree diagrams, affinity diagrams, selection matrices, data selection, check sheets, run charts, flowcharting, mapping work processes, Gantt charts, cause-and-effect fishbone diagrams, histograms, block diagrams, and scatter diagrams.
- Practice working as a team member, building respect for other members, achieving team consensus, and gaining buy-in for creative, fact-based change.
Related ASQ Bodies of Knowledge
Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, Certified Quality Improvement Associate, Certified Quality Auditor
- If you need to cancel, we will refund your paid registration fee as noted below.
- Requests for cancellations/transfers received at least 5 business days before the start of the course receive a full refund/transfer.
- Requests received within 5 business days of the course starting incur a $150 processing fee.
- After the course starts, there are no refunds or transfers.
- Registrants who fail to attend without advance notice are liable for the entire course fee.
- If you cannot find a substitute, we can transfer your course fees to another ASQ course of your choice.
- You must successfully complete the entire course or program before IACET CEUs and a Certificate of Completion can be awarded.
Enrollment Details

An instructor-led traditional classroom experience. Classroom-based instruction involves the highest level of instructor/student interaction. We offer classroom style training in two formats. See public and on-site.
No Offerings Scheduled | English | List: $1379 Member: $1149 |

GROUP TRAINING
ON-SITE TRAINING FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.
ASQ’s customized on-site training programs are the cost-effective way for you to train employees on your schedule. Training on-site minimizes the cost-per-student, reduces travel expenses, and ensures that the content is specific to your exact needs.
5 Benefits of On-Site Training
- Expertise to your location: Saves time and travel expenses
- Convenient scheduling: Train groups of five or more
- Customizable courses: Training tailored to your groups’ needs
- Immediate results: Employees complete courses ready to apply what they’ve learned
- Value-add support: Instructors available to answer questions after session